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Why does the target man still hold significant value in today’s football? Here’s a tactical deep dive into the art of leading the line with physical presence.

Ah, the target man. What makes football truly stunning? For some, it’s the perfectly measured assist that completes the ultimate team goal — like Carlos Alberto’s fourth for Brazil against Italy in the 1970 World Cup final.

For others, beauty lies in a technically flawless volley, such as Zinedine Zidane’s wonder strike for Real Madrid against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 Champions League final. Yet, there’s a special joy for those who love seeing a towering 6ft 7in striker rise to meet a looping cross at the far post.

Ideally, the forward, goalkeeper, and ball all end up in the net together. It’s time for another of FourFourTwo’s tactical experts to explain this fascinating concept.

I’m Jack, and I’ve spent over ten years studying football through a tactical lens — analysing trends at the elite level and exploring how these strategies can apply in grassroots settings.

I’m also an FA Level 2 certified coach, and I’ve written extensively on tactical systems for several publications. Much of my free time goes into training, playing, or fine-tuning strategies on Football Manager.

The target man doesn’t always have to be massive, though height and strength certainly help. As the name implies, they serve as a focal point for their team’s attack.

Their job involves winning aerial duels, holding up play to bring teammates forward, and unsettling the opposition defence. It’s a straightforward concept, yet executing it effectively in modern football is anything but simple.

In a tactical setup, you might see the red team opting for a direct pass to the target man, who then flicks the ball on for his strike partner to chase.

Players in this role need exceptional strength but also enough mobility to cover large areas of the pitch. This is especially crucial for those playing in teams set up with deep defensive lines and limited possession.

Such teams often spend much of the match under pressure, defending resolutely. In these situations, the target forward must exploit available space and run the channels to relieve pressure.

Typically, a target man won’t look to make constant blindside runs. Instead, they spend long spells with their back to goal, shielding the ball and keeping defenders occupied.

A common misconception is that any tall, strong striker qualifies as a target man. That’s not strictly true. Simply standing at 6ft 3in and playing up front isn’t sufficient.

Take Romelu Lukaku for instance. Early in his career at Anderlecht, Chelsea (first stint), and West Bromwich Albion, the Belgian thrived on aerial battles and physical duels. However, the evolved Lukaku — during his spells at Everton, Manchester United, Chelsea (second stint), and Inter Milan — preferred running channels and finding spaces between defenders. While still physically dominant, he wasn’t a traditional target man.

Not every target man is a classic number nine. Mario Mandzukic, for example, excelled as a wide target man, using his aerial ability on the flanks to create mismatches against smaller full-backs. Similarly, the modern ‘8.5’ role — a hybrid evolution of the number eight — has seen players like Kai Havertz and Cody Gakpo become aerial targets from midfield. Delivering medium-length passes to these physically imposing midfielders often allows teammates to contest for second balls more effectively than with a lone striker up front.

Erling Haaland also combines many of these traits — though the Norwegian’s skill set goes far beyond that. More archetypal examples include Olivier Giroud, who was instrumental for France during their 2018 World Cup triumph despite not scoring, as well as Wout Weghorst, Darwin Nunez, Victor Osimhen, and Didier Drogba from an earlier era.

Any aspiring target forward should study Drogba’s performance across both legs of Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. It remains one of the finest demonstrations of the role in modern football. Facing Pep Guardiola’s high-pressing side, Drogba’s strength, first touch, and hold-up play repeatedly disrupted Barcelona’s defence, giving Chelsea a crucial foothold in a tie they eventually won.

British football has also produced many great target men — Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand, John Toshack, and the legendary John Charles among them. In women’s football, American striker Abby Wambach, ranked 16th in FourFourTwo’s list of the greatest ever female players, exemplified the power and precision of a world-class target forward.

Beyond aerial dominance, having a target man up front provides a crucial outlet under pressure. A single long ball can turn defence into attack, giving teams a means of escape when pinned back — something a false nine setup rarely offers.

Every side benefits from an outlet like this. While managers such as Eddie Howe and Jurgen Klopp might prioritise winning second balls through aggressive pressing, a strong target forward can link play and serve as a focal point for creative teammates.

However, the classic big striker fell out of favour in the late 2000s as teams moved away from two-striker systems. The traditional ‘little-and-large’ pairing allowed the target man to nod down passes for a quicker partner, but this approach congested central areas, making it easier for defences to stay compact. Moreover, few target men possess elite off-the-ball movement, which limits their effectiveness when isolated as lone strikers.

In essence, if you’re playing with a target man, ensure your system isn’t one-dimensional — unless, of course, your striker is a powerhouse like Didier Drogba.

By Mark White, Content Editor