The recommended (starting) position is with the ball of the foot over the pedal axle.

Many seems to be content with that, so it looks like a good enough suggestion.
Never heard of anyone using a more forward position, while (slightly) more rearwards is fairly common.
There's a few riders who'll even re-drill their shoes to allow for a mid-arch cleat position.
TBH, I don't notice much difference - apart from the brief bodily confusion while dealing with the novelty value of another position - from fore-aft adjustment.
To me, angle is far more important. Basically, the inside of the foot needs to line up parallel with the main axis of the bicycle. Feet "straight" forward is a guarantee for discomfort.