As many have said, it's a false 9 because the player is nominally lined up as a striker but doesn't take up the positions of a striker. It's particularly effective against teams whose CBs want to hold a deep line because it gives the player space in front of those CBs to cause problems. Sound like anyone we're about to play? In all seriousness it would be an interesting choice versus a United team that doesn't want to push its CBs forward and break the line but are likely to have 2 holding midfielders as well so the space may not be there. However, it might force those holding mids to choose between following/marking Silva/KDB or, say, Nasri in a false 9 position.
Personally I don't think we're drilled well enough in the Pep concepts yet that he'll start doing all of his formation voodoo. But it's magnificent to have a manager who you know will consider it and for real footballing reasons.
Personally I don't think we're drilled well enough in the Pep concepts yet that he'll start doing all of his formation voodoo. But it's magnificent to have a manager who you know will consider it and for real footballing reasons.