The resurgence of the traditional number nine in football is gaining momentum, with Chris Wood at the forefront of this revival. The 32-year-old forward has made a significant impact at Nottingham Forest, scoring twice in the second half of their recent match against Leicester City, helping propel his team to fifth place in the Premier League.
With seven goals this season, Wood is second only to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who has netted ten times. Wood’s impressive form has been evident since Nuno Espírito Santo took charge of Forest in December 2023; only Haaland has scored more non-penalty goals in the league during this period, with 18 compared to Wood’s 17.
As both strikers lead the Premier League scoring charts, Wood is excited about the return of the traditional centre-forward role, a position he embodies. “We want to try to bring it back or I’ll be out of a job,” he remarked, acknowledging the previous trend where smaller forwards or hybrid roles overshadowed the classic number nine.
He highlighted Haaland’s influence on the game, noting that the Norwegian’s blend of pace and power has helped to redefine the modern centre-forward role. Wood added, “Thankfully Erling has come and brought it back into fashion. He has got a lot of pace and power—some things I don’t have—but it is making it easier for us number nines.”
This revival not only emphasizes the importance of physical presence and traditional striking attributes but also showcases how different styles of play can coexist in today’s football landscape. As more teams recognize the value of the classic number nine, players like Wood are poised to play a crucial role in the evolution of the game.
