In Reply to: I feel like those players are more of the specialist type posted by blindness on July 27, 2026 at 16:53:14
Arsenal, for example, has a starting 11 that usually averages over 6 feet - 6'4"Havertz, 5-10 Saka and Martinelli up front, with 6'2" players (Merino and Gyokeres or 6-0 Madueke first subs)
Midfield runs 6-2, 5-10 and 5-10 or 5-11.
Backline is 6-3, 6-4 centerbacks (reserves are 6-3 and 6-1) with fullbacks running 6-2, 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 and 5-10, the latter guy would probably be an all pro cornerback if he played American football.
Competing in the air is more important with aerial duels in the mid-pitch being huge part of the game as teams try to bypass the press.
There are still very important highly skilled players around 5-10 (none more than Saka) but teams have been getting taller for a while now.
In terms of scoring, size helps them contend with big and agile defenders. 15 of the top 20 scorers in the Premier league were 6 feet or taller and 3 of the remaining 5 were 5-10 or 5-11.