Burnwinter Definitely. Football has always been defined in terms of actions and reactions. You had the libero which was arguably the most important role for decades, which was retired when Sacchi started his 4-4-2. The dominance of 4-4-2 led to people playing an extra man in the middle and ushered in the 4-3-3 era, which guys like Conte again have countered with his 3-5-2 formation (which in some ways brought the spirit of a libero back), and so forth.
I think one of the things we've lost and are trying to rediscover is players that enable you to bypass the midfield a bit instead of being sucked into these black holes full of shortpassing midgets. But the player types you need in order to move the main threat and invention back to the forward line are a scarcity, because they've been overlooked for a long time.
Looking at any list of best forwards today for example, the one thing you notice is that most of them are in their mid-to-late 30's, and it has been true for at least a decade: Zlatan retired at 41, Benzema at 37, Ronaldo left European football at 38, Messi was 36 when he went to Miami. Suarez was still banging them in for Atletico at the same age. A heart condition stopped Agüero at 34. Lewandowski is currently 37, Kane 33. Salah is about to turn 35. Vardy picked up the golden boot in PL at 34 I think. These guys have essentially extended their shelf life because the regrowth has been so poor.
