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The new Man City formation A {THREAD}
With the reintroduction of Laporte to the team and the revival of John Stones, Pep now have three world class CBs at his disposal. That means a new formation!
What will the switch to 3-2-5 mean for the #FPL assets?
Read on
1) The new formation
Pep's system has always been very fluid, but lately a fit Laporte means Pep has the ability to play 3 at the back and push his very attacking fullbacks even further forward when playing weaker teams.
He actually only played his preferred 433 vs LIV & TOT...
Pep's system has always been very fluid, but lately a fit Laporte means Pep has the ability to play 3 at the back and push his very attacking fullbacks even further forward when playing weaker teams.
He actually only played his preferred 433 vs LIV & TOT...
The switch means that one of his preferred fullbacks Zinchenko and Cancelo miss out and is replaced by one of the CBs or Walker a ting like a RCB as he often does when playing for England.
It means that we should see 3/4 of Dias, Stones, Laporte & Walker playing every game...
It means that we should see 3/4 of Dias, Stones, Laporte & Walker playing every game...
The system requires that when defending Zinch/Cancelo will slot back into a regular fullback position, thus making City's defensive formation a 4 at the back.
When regaining position, the fullback will push into midfield slightly ahead of Rodri and slightly to one side...
When regaining position, the fullback will push into midfield slightly ahead of Rodri and slightly to one side...
... meaning the mid in that side pushes further forward. This is very apparent when looking at Gündogans and Bilvas positions in game.
With Zinchenko being a natural midfielder and Cancelo having great playmaking abilities, Pep has the perfect players for the system.
With Zinchenko being a natural midfielder and Cancelo having great playmaking abilities, Pep has the perfect players for the system.
2) Heatmaps and player positions
The clearest example is the game vs Everton, where the above mentioned points are clearly interpreted from the heatmap.
On the map Cancelo is 27, Laporte 14, Dias 3 and Walker 2.
The 5 attackers almost line up in front of the defense...
The clearest example is the game vs Everton, where the above mentioned points are clearly interpreted from the heatmap.
On the map Cancelo is 27, Laporte 14, Dias 3 and Walker 2.
The 5 attackers almost line up in front of the defense...
...and Laporte takes up a position almost as the LB with Walker mirroring him on the right, albeit further ahead.
Cancelo is almost taking up the same space as Dilva did last year!
Looking at the Burnley game, where Cancelo started on RB, it's the same but with Stones starting.
Cancelo is almost taking up the same space as Dilva did last year!
Looking at the Burnley game, where Cancelo started on RB, it's the same but with Stones starting.
3) Which assets benefits?
Expect lots of rotation, but you know that. However you can take some valuable lesson away from this!
When choosing defenders, the system needs 3 CBs and an offensive fullback, meaning Mendy is unlikely to feature much...
Expect lots of rotation, but you know that. However you can take some valuable lesson away from this!
When choosing defenders, the system needs 3 CBs and an offensive fullback, meaning Mendy is unlikely to feature much...
The key is Laporte and (when fit again) Aké being left footed and the only ones who can play the LCB position. Expect Laporte to play the large majority of games even when Aké is back.
Dias is the leader and so far only one to be deployed in the central position...
Dias is the leader and so far only one to be deployed in the central position...
...and I expect Dias to continue to play every minute he is available.
Then it becomes interesting.. Stones and Walker seems to be fighting for the same RCB position, and I would expect Walker to start against opponents with very quick LW'ers, and Stones against the rest...
Then it becomes interesting.. Stones and Walker seems to be fighting for the same RCB position, and I would expect Walker to start against opponents with very quick LW'ers, and Stones against the rest...
The formation change limits Stones' appeal in my eyes, and I will be selling him on my WC today.
Cancelo seems to be a clear first choice over Zinch and he should start a minimum of 3/4 games. Even when playing harder opponents and playing 4-3-3, he is preferred on RB or LB...
Cancelo seems to be a clear first choice over Zinch and he should start a minimum of 3/4 games. Even when playing harder opponents and playing 4-3-3, he is preferred on RB or LB...
Looking further up the pitch, I would be inclined to avoid the wingers (Sterling & Mahrez) and the occupy very wide positions far from goal. Especially Sterling doesn't look comfortable having to wait for the midfielder to take the deep run and then cut in behind...
The key attacking positions are the two 8's, which will be played by Gündogan, KDB and Bilva (+ maybe Foden). Their job is to overload the box with deep runs directly on goal, which we have seen Gündogan doing brillantly! Expect the RCM (KDB & Bilva) to sit a bit deeper though.
4) Who to pick on my WC25 then?
I will be picking either Dias, Cancelo and Gündogan or only Cancelo and Gündogan leaving a spot open to get KDB if he starts firing.
Can't see myself picking outside these 3 and KDB is a wait-and-see for me right now.
Foden could be a good punt.
I will be picking either Dias, Cancelo and Gündogan or only Cancelo and Gündogan leaving a spot open to get KDB if he starts firing.
Can't see myself picking outside these 3 and KDB is a wait-and-see for me right now.
Foden could be a good punt.
5) Thank you!
If you have made it this far, I hope I could help you decide one of the harder questions this week
If you enjoyed reading this I would appreciate a like, follow and/or retweet
Good luck!
#FPL #FPLCommunity
If you have made it this far, I hope I could help you decide one of the harder questions this week
If you enjoyed reading this I would appreciate a like, follow and/or retweet
Good luck!
#FPL #FPLCommunity
