false nine

American  

[fawls nahyn] / ˈfɔls ˈnaɪn /

Or false 9

noun

• false nines
  plural

1. Soccer. a center forward player who drops back into the midfield to receive the ball, creating space and opportunity for teammates further up the field by drawing the opposing team’s defense out of their positions.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• false nines
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

false nine

Dembele plays as a roaming false nine who can drop deep for Paris St-Germain - hence Deschamps fielding him just behind Mbappe - and so on.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

From right wing to false nine, from the flank to the centre of the greatest club side in history.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

Foden was deployed as a false nine against Japan but made little impression before Tuchel brought on striker Dominic Solanke in the 59th minute.

From BBC ● Apr. 1, 2026

He should not be criticised for failing to shine as a false nine against Japan because it is a role he is unfamiliar with.

From BBC ● Apr. 1, 2026

Fletcher is probably the best judge though given he has worked with him all season, deciding initially to pick him in a false nine position to give him more space.

From BBC ● Mar. 19, 2026