Striker drops into midfield – should the centre-back go with them?

I’d base the decision on what happens behind the striker. If the centre-back follows, who can cover the space they leave? If the striker receives and turns, who can affect them if the centre-back stays? A centre-back can step when the pass is travelling into the striker, the distance is manageable and the rest of the line can narrow behind them. They should be more cautious if a winger is already threatening the channel or there is no cover. The holding midfielder also changes the decision. If the 6 is close enough to deal with the dropping striker, the centre-back may not need to leave the line at all. I’d train it as a 5v5 or 6v6 unit problem with a striker who is encouraged to drop. The message is not “follow” or “do not follow”. It is: if you step, what have you left; if you stay, who deals with the player between the lines?