The tactical shift isn’t just theoretical; it is already being put into practice behind closed doors at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. In footage recently released by the club from one of their typical training ground matches, Yamal was seen operating and scoring from a central number nine position.
The goal was a showcase of his technical ceiling, involving a double wall-pass, a sharp control with his right foot, and a clinical finish with his magical left. In this specific setup, Anthony Gordon was deployed on the left wing while Karim Adeyemi occupied the right.
Yamal returned from his post-World Cup holidays this Wednesday, and the expectations are that he will be integrated quickly into the matchday squad. There is a possibility he could see minutes in the upcoming friendly in Basel, and observers will be keen to see if he is deployed in this new ‘false nine’ experimental role.