With what we have coming back from loan this fall, assuming zero additions, let's revisit one of my FM classic formations.
Or as I call it: How I Learned to Love Asymmetry
Maintain the flexible hybrid three-at-the-back with Danilo is a pseudo RB/CB position. He's exposed but also a smart enough player (usually) to not get caught out. This requires flexibility from Fagioli and Locatelli to know when to slide to the right and fill empty space both defensively but also offensively.
It's far more attacking but I think the players have the defensive chops to be able to hold their own if they press ruthlessly. Non-stop pressing.
Ideally you replace Fagioli with a true Box-to-Box midfielder/destroyer like prime Vidal was for us to completely disrupt the opponent's midfield. Chiesa plays as a pure inverted winger who can cut in and create space for Yildiz to move centrally or push the wing and cross into the box. Soule has the same flexibility be out wide or cut centrally and be a threat. Really our whole struggles with wingers comes down to the problem we've had since our midfield left. We have the defenders (minus a true RB) to play even a 4-2-4. We have nobody who can play 2 mid. Locatelli cannot, Fagioli cannot, Rabiot could not, McKennie cannot (my god), and it only gets worse.
Ship out everybody that is out of place who didn't expire (and you let every expiring contract expire):
- Weah gifted for free
- McKennie sold
- Milik sold
- Kostic sold