Individual Player Capabilities Under Threat

(source)

The appeal of football as a spectacle and entertainment is under threat, echoed by Messi recently. 

“Nowadays it is very difficult for a 10 or 11 year old boy to be in the street playing because of the insecurity on the streets. And now children have many more things like PlayStation, iPad, etc. I think football has changed a lot. It’s more difficult to see a player who is different, who is out of the ordinary… Because from a young age you are forced to play in a certain way. And that’s the problem... Football is going to be more and more tactical. You can see nowadays that any team can make it difficult for any team without having great players, but playing well tactically and in an organized way. But then it will be more complicated to see ‘extraordinary’ players.”

Lionel Messi, November 2022 (source)

No one can argue that there are less creative and effective dribblers nowadays. With changing society, social habits and lifestyle options available and street football (aka “free play”) is disappearing. With the emphasis on ‘command & control’ coaching styles, systems of play and fixed positions, defensive structure (smaller spaces/less time due to fitness pressing/counter pressing) and organization, ‘over-possession,’ and predictable, boring, uneventful, sequential pattern play, artistry and imagination has become rare in modern players and creativity is even rarer in coaches.

Players aren't comfortable on the ball, they don't run with it enough, and aren't dangerous to their immediate opponent. Running with the ball to break defensive pressure on transition both relieves pressure, helps protect the ball, gains more territorial ground and allows teams to exploit other teams that are slow to defend. 

Now, more than ever, it is important to develop creative, attacking, technically competent and confident players. It is essential for coaches to learn more about the types of material players can use for training to become more effective.