A few years ago, when it was announced that Zidane would wear number 5 for Real Madrid, a friend and I tried to set up a team of players whose numbers suggested that they played in a different position. The rules are simple – the team is based upon the premise that they will play 4-4-2. Full backs wear 2 (right) and 3 (left), with centre backs wearing 4 and 5. Wingers wear 7 (right) and 11 (left), the defensive midfielder wears 6 and the attacking one wears 8. The forwards wear 9 and 10. There is some leeway for different numbering systems, for example, it is acceptable for Wayne Rooney to wear number 8 (especially as he could easily play in the hole).
So far, in this season’s Premiership, I have:
Goalkeeper
1. [I think you would be struggling to find anyone wearing number 1 who was not a goalkeeper - however, in the mid 90s, Charlton did their squad numbers in alphabetical order, so their right back Stuart Balmer wore number 1]
Defence
2 (RB): Abou Diaby (Arsenal – CM)
3 (LB): Steve Finnan (Liverpool – RB/RW)
4 (CB): Kevin Nolan (Bolton – AM); Nobby Solano (Newcastle – RM)
5 (CB): Andy Reid (Charlton – LW); Tugay (Blackburn – DM); Emre (Newcastle – DM/LW)
Midfield
6 (DM): Gaizka Mendieta (Middlesbrough – RM); John Arne Riise (Liverpool – LB)
7 (RW): Christian Dailly (West Ham – CB); Paul Stalteri (Spurs – RB)
8 (AM): Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough – CB)
11 (LW): Noe Pamarot (Portsmouth – RB); Chris Powell (Watford – LB)
Forwards
9 (CF): Khalid Bouhlarouz (Chelsea – CB)
10 (CF): William Gallas (Arsenal – CB)
If anyone else is bored enough to come up with any suggestions, then send in a comment!
