Old school number 9s will be back in fashion when managers put winning ahead of reputations – but Haaland isn’t one

AS SOMEBODY who was proud to call himself a genuine old-school No9, I’m supposed to be part of a dying breed.

And I can understand why people might think that. There is a lack of authentic centre-forwards in the Premier League and across the whole of elite football.

Troy Deeney was an old school No9Getty Images - Getty GettyErling Haaland is not good enough with his back to goal to be an old fashioned striker[/caption]

The days when top-flight clubs were employing players like myself...