I think long ball is still relevant.

In the prem we just dont have the time/space to look up and pick out those passes as much.

CB’s have speed comparable to attackers so it isnt easy to win a foot race in behind while controlling the ball.

Hold up players are used quite often in the mid table teams .

I think it is easy to confuse long ball with direct play.

I believe long balls can still be effective but playing out from the back has become way better : Some teams who had ball-playing defenders and keepers decided to play from the back. Especially, tactical choices such as the false 9 or the 4-3-3 who can heavily denfisy the midfield (improving playing out from the back) while loosing an option to play long balls became popular.

Playing out from the back is extremely rewarding if your side and your tactics is built around it while, even if you have excellent hold-up players up front, there’s still an irrevocable element of luck to long balls.

However, long balls can still be effective : Chelsea-Barcelona in 2012 is an example.

It’s more the type of long ball that has gone. The aimless ball into the corner or the hopeful hump up-field aren’t seen much any more but players still play them as effective tools. Van Dijk loves a 60 yard cross-field ping for instance but it is always accurate and purposeful.

The condition of the field/pitch is so much better, and stadiums in the UK are far more enclosed than they used to be.