How do you develop a number 10 in 9v9 without giving them a free role?

I’d give that player freedom inside clear team references. A creative 10 should absolutely be encouraged to find spaces other players might not see. But “free role” can become an excuse for having no relationship with teammates or no responsibility when the ball changes hands. In possession, I’d ask them to notice where they can receive to face forward and what their movement creates for the two forwards or other midfielders. Out of possession, keep it equally simple: who is the nearest useful player or space you can affect? You do not need to turn creativity into a list of duties. At 9v9, the goal is helping the player understand why their freedom works for the team. The best creative players are not free from the game; they read more of it.