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GLC or Bergwijn, at a stretch Dele if Mourinho has a change of heart.
I really rate this setup for a few reasons:
1. Gets the most out of Ndombele: For some reason Mourinho didn't think he's ready to play deeper, but now he thinks he's ready. In the two games
I really rate this setup for a few reasons:
1. Gets the most out of Ndombele: For some reason Mourinho didn't think he's ready to play deeper, but now he thinks he's ready. In the two games
He's played there, admittedly against Blades and Ludogorets hardly difficult opposition, he has run the show. As a 10 he doesn't get on the ball enough. And when he gets on the ball he makes things happen. So getting him on the ball is vital.
Defensively he's great btw.
Defensively he's great btw.
Leads our pressures behind Gio, one of our best tacklers too.
The back 3 means he also has the freedom to carry the ball into dangerous areas & play through balls to Son like he likes to do etc. because there's ample cover behind him
2. Maximising Son: Son's been brilliant
The back 3 means he also has the freedom to carry the ball into dangerous areas & play through balls to Son like he likes to do etc. because there's ample cover behind him
2. Maximising Son: Son's been brilliant
But we don't want him tracking back as a LW for a couple of reasons: 1. It's just not best use of him 2. When we drop deep, he's often then too deep for is to trigger a quick transition or a ball over the top. Instead use his work rate to prevent ball circulation at the root
3. Buildup: No Sissoko should help in buildup, but also Davies in that area should be quite helpful. Both Japh & Davies(or another CB/new signing) can overlap the WBs when needed & offer safe pass back option
4. More CBs: Means more aerial presence. In theory should deal with
4. More CBs: Means more aerial presence. In theory should deal with
Crosses, set pieces better.
5. Reguilon: Can really get the best out of Reguilon like this too. He's so good offensively with his running ability & crosses. Reminds me of a very young Bale. He can control the entire flank
6. Aurier/Doherty: Doherty plays in a role he's more
5. Reguilon: Can really get the best out of Reguilon like this too. He's so good offensively with his running ability & crosses. Reminds me of a very young Bale. He can control the entire flank
6. Aurier/Doherty: Doherty plays in a role he's more
comfortable in & would offer a genuine goal threat if he can recreate Wolves form. Aurier is probably our best ball winner but ofc no one trusts him because of his previous rashness which has died down. Him defending higher mitigates this risk
Drawbacks: Two drawbacks I can think of are: We don't have enough high quality CBs for us to play 3 but otoh they're all decent enough. Rodon, Dier can easily start too
Shape: Maintaining a 442 shape is much easier defensively because there are fewer reference points
Shape: Maintaining a 442 shape is much easier defensively because there are fewer reference points
And you need to look horizontally and vertically to know how to maintain shape rather than diagonally. This is why it's the preferred defensive shape for most defensive teams.
A 352/343 can settle into a 442 depending on where the ball is, but it requires strong understanding
A 352/343 can settle into a 442 depending on where the ball is, but it requires strong understanding
