Is bigger always better (Part 2 Football)?

Following on from my previous blog I will now look at whether being bigger is an advantage in professional football.

When looking at arguably the two best players in the world. I say arguably but I would like to see someone to try and disagree with me that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the best two players in the world. Yet, there physical stature could not be more different.

Messi at 5 feet 7 and weighs 67 kilograms can be considered as diminutive. Ronaldo at 6 feet 1, 84 kg is literally head and shoulders above Messi and others. There is, however, little difference in overall ability.

Unlike other sports, to play in positions there is often a specific body type needed to excel. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule but generally speaking certain positions require certain physiques.

Using a traditional four - four - two formation I will set out the ideal body types for each position and give an example of a player matching this type. It demonstrates that being the right size is the most important factor, rather than necessarily being bigger:
 
                                                       GK
                                                      6ft 4
                                               David Seaman

RB                               CB                               CB                                      LB

Cafu                      Thiago Silva                Tony Adams                Ashley Cole
5ft 9                            6ft                               6ft 4                                    5ft 9

RM                              CM                              CM                                    LM

David Beckham      Yaya Toure                 Andrea Pirlo              Gareth Bale

6ft                                6ft 3                            5ft 10                                  6ft

                                    ST                                ST

                        Michael Owen             Robin Van Persie

                                    5ft 8                            6ft 2

As a goalkeeper you have to be able to deal with crosses that come in so a physical presence is crucial. You must also have the agility to deal with quick, low shots but be tall enough to reach shots in the top corner. At 6 feet 4 inches I feel that David Seaman's size gives him the perfect frame for what is needed.

At 5ft 9 Cafu and Ashley Cole have the necessary stature to be quick across the ground, maintain this explosive pace up and down for 90 minutes and have enough height to be an aerial presence if called upon. With the main aim of a full back to stop the ball coming in to start with have quick acceleration is crucial something that Cafu and Cole are able to do with ease.

The spine of the team throughout have size differences between the pairs. Starting with the centre backs, they need to compliment each other. With Thiago Silva you have someone who is still tall enough to challenge physically with the world's strikers but have the pace and to match them as well. The word sweeper best describes this role, while as the phrase ball winner best describes Tony Adams. At 6ft 4 few are able to compete with the former Arsenal man in the air. He is still not too tall that his movement is heavily restricted.

In centre midfield, for this formation, the type of players needed are a creative player and someone more combative. Yaya Toure at 6ft 3 loses little in the air, he is also able to build up serious speed through the middle when his long legs get going and is as strong as an ox. At 5ft 10 Andrea Pirlo can put up a fight in the air but his main role is to quick sharp movements that can get the ball moving, but still be physically tough enough for the midfield battle.

Up front the little and large combination is the ideal match for a 4-4-2 formation. What is needed is someone to compete for headers so Van Persie is a good height to do this. People may decide that the striker needs to be at the same height of the tallest defender but Van Persie is tall enough to compete but still quick enough to shrug off the centre back and lose his man. That same philosophy of losing his man especially applies to role Michael Owen plays in using his acceleration to get in behind the defence.

With the 4-4-2 formation it is crucial that wide players are able work up and down and so there defensive duties are crucial. Being at 6ft David Beckham and Gareth Bale can offer defensive duties as well as offer an attacking threat aerially. They also have the change of pace to take on their man.

This formation, however, is becoming redundant with the versatility of the 4-2-3-1 being preferred. With the backline and centre midfielders similar and the attacking three versatile in physique the difficulty is choosing the right player to play the lone striker.

Van Persie is the type of forward who could lead the line where as Owen would struggle. Does this spell the end for the role of the poacher?

Watching Tottenham Hotspurs play this formation with Roberto Soldado up front has seen them lack any real cutting edge and it wasn't until they brought in the physicality of Emmanuel Adebayor have they turn their fortunes.

Another example that the fox in the box style striker is becoming obsolete is Javier Hernandez at Manchester United. He has not featured as much with the preference of the 4-2-3-1 under David Moyes. He is not able to compete with opponent defenders as easily as other, taller strikers and the only team able to play without a striker who can help link up the play is Barcelona.

So it is not necessarily how big you are it is about whether your size fits the role you are playing in your side.