Football Series: Numbers on Players' Jerseys

 

Hello Lovelies!

I am here again and I have written.

This week’s blog post is inspired by a new friend, and you can be sure to enjoy it.

Ladies, picture this;

It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re together with “Le Boo”, who’s getting set for his dose of weekend football, or is already being served, lol. Sounds familiar, right?

Now, if we’re being honest, most of us would rather not have to put up with all of that “madness”. We would rather be doing other things than watching 20 outfield men with numbers on the backs of their jerseys, on lush green turf, chasing some leather ball, for some vainglory of getting it behind a white line and into a goal.

What’s worse, is how passionate these men (those playing and watching) are about the game, such that amidst all the shouting and screaming depending on the teams involved (pray that it’s not your SO’s team), for the period of the game, they almost forget that you exist. Likeeee, for real though! However you stay either way, despite not understanding all that’s unfolding before your eyes, because… “I want to support his sports interest”.

Not to worry my lady, Winning11 is here with great news! We’re arming you with the right amount of ammunition to “shock” Le Boo, as I'll be sharing valuable, easy-to-understand information on the beautiful game of football.

As a commitment, be sure to follow up on this series and update your knowledge base to have enough info in your arsenal (😃) to fit into his 'football life' with ease.

Today, we begin with learning to interpret those numbers you see on the players' jerseys, and how they describe their on-field roles.

Traditionally, there are 11 numbers (1-11) representing the 11 players in each team as there are 22 players on the field running after the ball 😄.

Classic shirt numbering and number positions form the basis of the game, and here's what you need to know about each digit's traditional roles and responsibilities in a standard 1-11 system.

Number 1 shirt: Goalkeeper/ Keeper... Shock him with (Goalie)

Ladies, any player wearing the No.1 shirt, is most definitely the goalkeeper, whose primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring (preventing the ball entering the net). 

The number 1 jersey is most typically reserved for the first-choice goalkeeper at a club and is almost never given to any outfield player. The goalie is the only player who can legally use his or her hands to touch the ball on the field.

Names of ‘Keepers of English Premier League clubs with the biggest fanbases in Nigeria:        

Arsenal FC - Bernd Leno

Chelsea FC - Edouard Mendy 

Manchester United FC – David de Gea

Liverpool FC - Alisson Becker

Manchester City FC - Ederson.

 

Number 2 shirt: Defender... Shock him with (Right-back)

Defenders: a defender is an outfield player whose primary tasks include stopping attacks against his/her team, during the game. They they work jointly with the goalie to prevent the opposing team from scoring a goal. 

Though more specifically, right-backs who usually don the No.2 shirt are positioned on the right side of the field.

Names of right-backs of English Premier League clubs with the biggest fanbases in Nigeria:

Arsenal FC -  Hector Bellerin

Chelsea FC - Reece James

Manchester United FC - Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Liverpool FC - Trent-Alexander-Arnold

Manchester City - Kyle Walker

 

Number 3 shirt: Defender… Shock him with (Left-back)

The No.3 shirt is also reserved for a defender, whose role is similar to that of a number 2 but this time, for a left-back position on the left side of the field.

Names of Left-backs of English Premier League clubs with the biggest fanbases in Nigeria:

Arsenal FC -  Kieran Tierney

Chelsea FC - Marcos Alonso

Manchester United FC - Luke Shaw

Liverpool FC - Andrew Robertson

Manchester City - Benjamin Mendy

 

Numbers 5 & 6 shirts: Defenders... Shock him with (Centre backs)

Central defenders constitute the last defensive line in the central area of the field. Their responsibility is to block rival forwards and do anything in their ability to stop them from getting face to face with their goalkeeper.

Some Centre backs in the EPL:

 Arsenal FC -  David Luiz

Chelsea FC - Thiago Silva

Manchester United FC - Harry Maguire

Liverpool FC - Virgil Van Dijk

Manchester City - John Stones

Number 4 shirt: Defensive/Holding Midfielder (DM)

The defensive midfielder plays directly in front of the center-backs. His or her job is to collaborate with the defense, retrieve as many balls as possible and organize attacking plays from the back. They anticipate rivals’ passes and plays, as well as also creatively structure attacking plays and contribute with assists.

Some DMs in the EPL:

 Arsenal FC - Thomas Partey

Chelsea FC - N'golo Kante

Manchester United FC - Nemanja Matic

Liverpool FC - Fabinho

Manchester City - Fernandinho

Numbers 7 & 11 shirts: Wingers (Left & Right) (Cristiano Ronaldo)

The No.7 shirt made more popular by Cristiano Ronaldo is reserved for wingers and second strikers, This position is one of the most explosive and opportunity generating.

Wingers are tasked with attacking and preferably pace-y with stamina and skills to dribble opponents, provide crosses, assisting and scoring.

 

Wingers for the top teams in the EPL:            

Arsenal FC - Bukayo Saka

Chelsea FC - Christian Pulisic

Manchester United FC - Mason Greenwood

Liverpool FC - Mohamed Salah

Manchester City - Raheem Sterling

Number 8: Central Midfielders (CM)

Center midfielders are the foremost organizers and creative playmakers in the game. Having a strong midfield is key to establishing a dominating playing style.

Center midfielders are tasked with linking the defense with the offense and contributing with goals, assists and key decision making.

CM for the top teams in the EPL:            

Arsenal FC - Granit Xhaka

Chelsea FC - Matteo Kovacic

Manchester United FC - Paul Pogba

Liverpool FC - Jordan Henderson

Manchester City - Ilkay Gündogan

Number 9: Center Forward/Main Striker: To burst his head (Ask about false 9)

The No.9 is usually given to a football team's center forward or main striker, a prolific goal scorer in any given formation.

The number 9 is recognized as the biggest goal-scoring threat in the team and carries the responsibility of scoring goals for the team as frequently as possible; this is one of the most exciting positions to play!

 CF for the top teams in the EPL:            

Arsenal FC - Alexandre Lacazette

Chelsea FC - Timo Werner

Manchester United FC – Edinson Cavani

Liverpool FC - Roberto Firmino

Manchester City - Sergio Aguero

 

Number 10/11 shirt: Playmaker: Lionel Messi

Traditionally, the No.10 shirt is given to the team's playmaker or star attacking midfielder. It is a number not to be worn lightly, and one of the shirt numbers that a player must earn.

Notable No.10s include Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi. It’s also the fact that the role of a player in the position of a number 10 is one of the most enjoyable and entertaining positions to play in or to watch.

Now ladies, if you have made it this far to the end of this post, then you are truly interested in the wonderful game of football either for your viewing pleasure or like the scenario, you’re watching to support someone important to you. 

It is worthy to note that no knowledge is lost and this right here deserves a comment and sharing to others from you. Why don't you do just that. See you next time when I bring Football series, I love you guys.

 

Thank you! 💝