Leicester, Arsenal and Manchester United: The Next To Embrace 3-4-2-1?

[davieG]

Antonio Conte’s Chelsea have grabbed control of the Premier League with a formation that has taken everyone by surprise. Seven successive league victories is evidence that no opponent has yet worked out how to counter the Italian’s 3-4-2-1 system – but plenty of coaches have had the good sense to copy it.

Manchester City, Tottenham, West Ham, Everton, and now Watford have all adopted the formation after a dip in form. All five clubs have instantly benefited from the switch, and it is easy to see why.

After a decade in which 4-2-3-1 was the predominant formation, this strategy has inevitably become a little stale as the fashion moves away from possession football and towards the high-pressing, counter-attacking football of Jurgen Klopp. As the technical quality and speed of Premier League football increases year on year, the pitch is inevitably sucked inwards; most top teams favour attacking through the centre of the pitch and must manoeuvre in very small pockets of space.

A 3-4-2-1 is a fantastic way of maintaining control of the congested midfield while focusing on central attacking playmakers as a route to goal. Three at the back gives solidity in an age of defenders as technicians (who are perhaps less defensively strong than they used to be), the wing-backs stretch the opposition back line, and two playmakers are left to dominate the opposition defensive midfielders – who are made to look flat and laboured.

It is the attacking midfielders – or inside forwards if you’d prefer – who are benefiting the most. Pedro, Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne, Dmitri Payet, Ross Barkley, Roberto Pereyra, and Christian Eriksen have all looked sharper with a partner to draw defenders away, and are clearly happier without any defensive responsibilities.
This formation isn’t going away any time soon. And like so many others this season, there are several struggling clubs who could benefit from joining the trend.

 

Leicester City

Claudio Ranieri’s 4-4-2 no longer works without N’Golo Kante picking up the slack. His slow defence could benefit from functioning in a flat back three (as it did under Nigel Pearson during their great escape in 2014-15), while Ahmed Musa and Riyad Mahrez would be re-energised in a double playmaker system.

Neither player has taken off in 2016/17, but with their quick movement and one-touch passing should be able to forge an excellent understanding more centrally. Their range of passing will surely create more one-on-ones for Jamie Vardy. Furthermore, Marc Albrighton and Christian Fuchs would make excellent wing-backs.

 

http://www.umaxit.com/index.php/columns/leicester-arsenal-and-manchester-united-the-next-to-embrace-3-4-2-1?

[foxy boxing]

there's always a trend which everyone follows, last season it was 4-2-3-1

[Fox92]

Claudio to change formation.... really!!!???

[Guest Lako42]

Copying keeps you firmly behind the pioneer.

 

 

We should use a system that suits our players, not just an in trend one.

[lgfualol]

9 minutes ago, Lako42 said:

Copying keeps you firmly behind the pioneer.

 

 

We should use a system that suits our players, not just an in trend one.

I think it will work with our players, but we couldn't play it every week as we bought in the Summer to fit our 442 formation. LWB and RWB would have problems as I can't see anyone but Schlupp, Albrighton, Fuchs or Chilwell (if he ever gets a game) being able to play there. Simpson maybe, but he's a woeful attacker. 

 

I'd feel more confident with this when some players return

 

Schmeichel 

Hernandez Huth Fuchs

Albrighton Mendy Drinkwater Schlupp 

Mahrez Slimani Musa 

 

Schlupp and Albrighton both lack brains, but I think they excelled in this position during our great escape. 

 

or more defensive

 

Schmeichel 

Hernandez Morgan Fuchs

Albrighton Mendy Amartey Drinkwater Schlupp 

Slimani/Musa/Vardy Okazaki 

[artursteppe]

2 minutes ago, Lako42 said:

Copying keeps you firmly behind the pioneer.

 

 

We should use a system that suits our players, not just an in trend one.

We must have more defensive capability, it's a no brainer. King is not solid enough defensively, (not creative enough either). Without Mendy or Drinky we need to bolster the team, defensively. Start with a clean sheet and minimise the goals conceded is our best way to get points right now. We must change. A 3-4-2-1 would give Riyad much more attacking freedom.. He loves to attack. He ain't happy right now. He is (like any player), much better doing what he loves, attacking and creating is what he loves to do. Then it is just a choice of back three and where we would play Fuchs, back three or wing back. Simpson or Hernandez? Huth, or not? Morgan or not? Schlupp at wing back with Fuchs in the back three? Slimani or Vardy as lone striker? Vardy or Slimani with Riyad behind a lone striker. Shinji, with Riyad, and Vardy or Slimani up front. Albrighton at right wing back, I would think.

For now this must be the way we play in the next few games. This system would suit our players.

As for 'copying', if we do it better than the rest it would have to be a good thing. Also gives chances to rotate our defenders. It has to be the right thing to do.

[Richard]

We'd definitely need some new centre backs. Huth would get destroyed on the outside of a 3

[artursteppe]

3 minutes ago, Richard said:

We'd definitely need some new centre backs. Huth would get destroyed on the outside of a 3

You are quite right, so Fuchs plays left side of a back three, that's settled then. Hernandez, Morgan, Fuchs.

Albrighton (or Simpson) King, Amartey, Schlupp. Then Mahrez with two from Shinji, Jamie and Islam for the other three slots.

 

(Could do Hernandez, Huth and Morgan, I suppose, with Christian at wing back).

[Libertine]

This could be great for us, not just 'cause it's the hipster trend. Worked well in the great escape and gives a fluid cover to all positions whilst not losing width or causing strikers to be isolated.

[Ashley]

We've gone to a back 5 or 3 which ever way you want to look at it in a few games, first time this season was Celtic away pre season. 

 

Schmeichel

Hernandez Huth Morgan
Albrighton Mendy Drinkwater Schlupp
Mahrez
Slimani Vardy

 

Could work very well. 

[yorkie1999]

Claudio will defend us back to the championship. I never seen a team go backwards so quickly.

[goose2010]

2 minutes ago, yorkie1999 said:

Claudio will defend us back to the championship. I never seen a team go backwards so quickly.

 

Jesus you must be an absolute hoot to know! Are you this downbeat about everything in life? Lighten up a bit mate for your sake as much as ours!

[sk3since03]

I'd like to see us give it a go 

[foxes21]

See how Mendy does in the 4-4-2, before changing formation.

[AS78UK]

1 hour ago, Ashley said:

We've gone to a back 5 or 3 which ever way you want to look at it in a few games, first time this season was Celtic away pre season. 

 

Schmeichel

Hernandez Huth Morgan
Albrighton Mendy Drinkwater Schlupp
Mahrez
Slimani Vardy

 

Could work very well. 

Possibly swap Schlupp out for Chilwell. 

 

Although ironically our better defenders this year have been Simpson and Fuchs. 

[Ashley]

34 minutes ago, AS78UK said:

Possibly swap Schlupp out for Chilwell. 

 

Although ironically our better defenders this year have been Simpson and Fuchs. 

 

Why Chilwell? Whilst he will be the better footballer in years to come he's still learning. Everyone slags Schlupp however he brings something you can't buy and that's cahos. He doesn't know what he will do himself so how do defenders? Looked good when he's come on in recent games.. that injection of pace as he just goes past players... 

 

Fuchs could even be a third choice CB option as he played there in the games we've reverted to a back 3 or 5 what ever way you want to look at it.