Sounds like a waste tbh, if we want an energetic player who lacks a bit of defensive sense but can run forward, link up play and take players on we have Pereyra who at least has some familiarity with the role.
If we want the best out of Cuadrado it really should be in a front 3. But that means sacrificing Dybala which isn't happening.
Unless a legit AM comes in, Cuadrado probably signifies a 3-5-2. But I don't like playing 3 CBs and one of the strikers having to bridge the gap between MF and attack AKA Dybala means Mandzukic/Morata is isolated.
We should be looking to limit 3-5-2 to a plan B shutting games out, but instead we're failing to bring in an attacking mid and now we have a left footed ST and a RWer
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We really do not have a suitable left winger. We could put a couple of makeshift players there but our 4-3-3 in attack would be downright pathetic compared to clubs we'd be facing off in the latter stages of the CL who have legit wide threats.
Actually the way Cuadrado featured in fiorentina's 352 is key to the solution, it just has to be better executed. And note, Cuadrado isnt defensive a liability like Pirlo was, we did manage to get past that issue.
Two wingbacks, different execution.
- Alex Sandro will play like a natural wingback, and can pretty much handle himself. Pogba wont need to compensate for him. If he goes deep, Chiellini moves higher into the midfield to block the space behind him in case of counters.
- Cuadrado will play like a more offensive wingback. Khedira who excells as an excellent deep holding midfielder with excellent passing is key here. Like Vidal used to help Licht, Khedira will not play as offensive as vidal, but rather hold the midfield with Marchisio, and will tend to the right when needed. he'll allow Cuadrado to make his forward runs by covering them.
- While Pogba will play like an actual b2b player, Marchisio and Khedira are the central engines. They start the play, and they'll look to cover for the forward runs Cuadrado and to lesser extend, pogba and Sandro make.
Result will be that we'll have a very wide playstyle when in possession. With is good. The opponent can stay compact, wich will make it easy for Sandro and Cuadrado to make runs and actions or cross it into the box, where Mandzukic is waiting.
If they start to compensate by trying to block the flanks, dybala will be seeking the space they leave between the lines.
4-3-3 ? People are naming cuadrado (as rw, fine). But Not Dybala as LW. Dybala needs to roam and find spaces , receive the ball there and thread it trough to the striker, or make an action himself. Wingerplay is very different. An actual winger needs to keep the play wide, and must know how to get around his man to cross, or come inside to shoot, when to come inside so he doesnt clogg the center, and he needs to have feeling on when to make his runs down the flank, wich is very different from seaking space in the middle and doing it there.
Coman has talent as an LW, Cuadrado as RW(obviously). Dybala and Morata arent wingers. Morata when playing a front 2 will sometimes move wide to find space, but plays primally in the center.
As it stands, We should play 3-5-2. if we get draxler, i'd be considering a 4-2-2-1-1. Wait zach, what is that ? Simple, two holding mids, two wingers, an actual striker and a supportive striker that roams. Looks like a 442 but isnt one. Looks like a 4231 but the SS doesnt drop as deep as a trequartista
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