Brian
Eating fat, staying slim
'Numbers' have changed since the advent of squad numbers/names and cashing in on shirt sales.Strange how his name as just cropped up, but this question popped into my head when reading your post. What number then do you give to a 'playmaker' aka De Bruyne. This is the type of player England need, it works successfully with Foden at City. Anyone fancy Bellingham trying to put his foot on the ball and play this role.
You never answered, but I will assume a number 4 would be a central defensive player.
Back in the days of a team coming out wearing 1 to 11 and playing 4-3-3, a 4 was generally on the right of a midfield 3.
5 and 6 were at the centre of defence.
e.g.
1
2-5-6-3
4-8-11
7-9-10
I much preferred it but I'm a dinosaur like that. I still prefer divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4.
I don't see Bellingham as a De Bruyne.