The striker role has always been football’s most iconic position — and perhaps its most scrutinized. But like everything in the game, it evolves.

The Golden Age of Strikers: 1990s–2000s

There was a time when the center forward was the superstar. In the 1990s, names like Romário, George Weah, and the electric Ronaldo Nazário redefined what a striker could be: a combination of deadly finishing, explosive pace, and technical genius.

Fast forward to the 2000s, and the tradition continued with Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney, and Samuel Eto’o — all prolific, all stylistically unique. The striker was the focal point, the player every defense was built to stop. But change was coming.

The False Nine Era — and What Comes After

By the 2010s, football tactics began to shift. The rise of the false nine — a forward dropping deep to pull center backs out of position — allowed new systems to flourish. Traditional strikers were often replaced by fluid front threes, powered by inside forwards cutting in from wide, à la Messi, Neymar, and Salah.

And while the role of the classic No. 9 seemed to fade, the position was quietly evolving again.

The New Breed: Tall, Technical, and Fearless

Recently, a new striker prototype has emerged: tall, technical forwards who can dribble like wingers. Think:

• Alexander Isak (Newcastle)

• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt)

• Nick Woltemade (Werder Bremen)

These players are 1m90+, but unlike traditional target men, they’re comfortable taking defenders on, driving at backlines, and operating with flair. It’s a rare profile — and a valuable one.

Finding These Profiles Using Eyeball’s Scouting Platform

We ran a search on the Eyeball scouting platform, using filters that reflect this rising archetype:

• Position: Striker

• Height: 1m90+

• Games Played: Minimum 5

• Sort By: Attempted take-ons per 90

The results? Four pages of exciting young players across Europe and beyond — some of whom aren’t yet on the mainstream radar.

This is where Eyeball’s football scouting software shines. Whether you’re a club analyst, agent, or recruitment lead, you can use our AI football analysis software to scout emerging talent with custom filters, performance data, and full-match video.

Want to find the next Isak before the rest of Europe does?

Track Emerging Striker Talent with Eyeball

With Eyeball, you’re not limited to generic data. You can uncover youth football talent, scout academy players, and build custom reports on profiles that match your tactical needs.

Whether you’re focused on:

• Youth soccer scouting

• Post-match football analysis

• Or targeting AI tools for football scouting

Eyeball lets you filter, watch, and assess players faster than ever — giving you an edge in the race for the next great striker. Try Eyeball today to track the next wave of powerful, technical forwards — and take your scouting strategy to the next level. Book a demo: https://calendly.com/joachim-winther-eyeball/demo