Kim Hellberg explains why he sees David Strelec as a 'number nine'

DAVID STRELEC might have played in a number of different positions during the early stages of his Middlesbrough career, but Kim Hellberg has already seen enough of the summer signing to be convinced that his best role is definitely as a ‘number nine’.

When Strelec joined Boro in a £6.5m move from Slovan Bratislava in the summer, it was anticipated that he would be leading the line as the club’s new frontline centre-forward this season.

However, despite boasting an impressive international pedigree as a ‘number nine’ with Slovakia, Rob Edwards opted to move Strelec from his preferred role, instead stationing him as a ‘number ten’ playing behind Tommy Conway.

The ploy did not really work, with Strelec not looking particularly comfortable playing in a more withdrawn role and failing to s