I don't think Barcelona can really fully replicate De Jong in the aggregate; he's a one-man army in the first two phases.
However, this is something I wouldn't mind seeing:
— Gundo x Christensen double-pivot
— Felix roaming 10/Second-striker
— Fermin LW
The rest is standard.
However, this is something I wouldn't mind seeing:
— Gundo x Christensen double-pivot
— Felix roaming 10/Second-striker
— Fermin LW
The rest is standard.
This setup is relatively risk-free.
The frontline would get enough dynamism & work rate with Fermin + Raphinha while you get more out of Felix in those tight central corridors close to Lewandowski.
Gundo is deeper but with more freedom than Christensen.
Kounde CB/FB hybrid.
The frontline would get enough dynamism & work rate with Fermin + Raphinha while you get more out of Felix in those tight central corridors close to Lewandowski.
Gundo is deeper but with more freedom than Christensen.
Kounde CB/FB hybrid.
Of course, an alternative approach to this would be a more strict 3-4-3 with a double pivot and wingbacks on the sides.
But we don't really have two wingbacks and we'd have to use all of our defenders to field this setup.
It leaves little wiggle room in case of more injuries.
But we don't really have two wingbacks and we'd have to use all of our defenders to field this setup.
It leaves little wiggle room in case of more injuries.
Theoretically, you could even do a De Zerbi special and form an hourglass in this setup. (Piece soon 👀)
Ideally, Lewandowski is replaced by Ferran in this scenario because I don't think he has the intensity or sharpness currently to execute this role.
Can work, though.
Ideally, Lewandowski is replaced by Ferran in this scenario because I don't think he has the intensity or sharpness currently to execute this role.
Can work, though.
There are a couple of alternatives available:
1) Kounde inverts into the double pivot next to Christensen so Gundogan can at least finish higher in the second & third phases.
This gives you the compactness and the box. Could play Fort LB and Cancelo instead of Kounde too.
1) Kounde inverts into the double pivot next to Christensen so Gundogan can at least finish higher in the second & third phases.
This gives you the compactness and the box. Could play Fort LB and Cancelo instead of Kounde too.
Again, you'd pack the midfield and utilise that box to control the game better even without De Jong & Pedri.
There's enough technical quality in there for it to work. That said, it leaves you without much width on the right.
Gundo could move wider but it's a bit of a waste.
There's enough technical quality in there for it to work. That said, it leaves you without much width on the right.
Gundo could move wider but it's a bit of a waste.
2) The Pep/Arteta special: Ter Stegen steps up to become the 4th defender in the first ~25m, Cubarsi moves up to CM, Gundo to 10.
Quite risky if Barcelona can't retain the ball well in the second phase but it's something the elites use.
He who dares wins, right?
Quite risky if Barcelona can't retain the ball well in the second phase but it's something the elites use.
He who dares wins, right?
What this setup does is, it essentially forms an auxiliary double-pivot (CB as CM) and an auxiliary backline (GK as CB).
Ter Stegen can do it and Cubarsi in a kind of Stones role would be interesting. Risky. But interesting.
That way you have Gundo as 10 + Felix next to Lewy.
Ter Stegen can do it and Cubarsi in a kind of Stones role would be interesting. Risky. But interesting.
That way you have Gundo as 10 + Felix next to Lewy.
3) Marc Casado as the mini Frenkie de Jong.
I know people don't rate Casado anymore but that's because he's put into conversations about roles he doesn't really fit.
He's not a lone Barcelona 6. But he is a mobile runner progressor with loads of technical quality & an engine.
I know people don't rate Casado anymore but that's because he's put into conversations about roles he doesn't really fit.
He's not a lone Barcelona 6. But he is a mobile runner progressor with loads of technical quality & an engine.
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