Divided_Pie
Active Member
I like how you're looking at this, but there are a couple of problems:
1. Getting a new CF and RB is probably a big ask at this stage.
2. Pepe doesn't fit anywhere in this. On the left he's fighting Tierney for the left wide space, and on the right he's fighting Ødegaard for the right half space.
I actually think we can accomplish a good attacking structure with the players we have, simply by changing the formation to a 3-5-2.
Pepe prefers the right half-space because he has a great shot from there on his stronger left foot. Similarly, Auba prefers the left half space. Essentially they like to play as inside forwards.
Let's assume that with Ødegaard on board there will be less of a need for Laca to play as a false 9, and Ødegaard can occupy the middle zone - finding space, controlling the ball, and transitioning it to the other attackers. Auba is also more likely than Laca to stick around due to his contract.
Now the wide areas. As you alluded to, with inverted inside forwards, you need non-inverted players to overlap (or underlap even) to clear out the half spaces. Here we have Saka and ESR as wingbacks on the left and right, respectively. So you end up with the 2-3-5 attacking shape looking like this:
-------Auba-------Pepe
-
Saka--------MO--------ESR
-
-
---KT3-----Sambi----Partey
-
-
------Gabriel------White
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-------------Leno
Depending on which side the buildup happens on, KT and White can take turns moving up to the midfield line. Sambi to operate mostly as a DLP. KT3 and Partey would make occasional runs forward, swapping with Saka and ESR -- so we don't lose KT3 as a wide crossing option - we just don't rely on it as much.
