We’re back in the Premier League after a great title-winning season in the Championship, we were easily the best team in the league.
However, I really don’t see us keeping the 4-2-3-1 formation that we have had much success with over the last couple of seasons – at least not with a flat midfield two.
It would leave us too exposed and as such, a slight tweak to a 4-1-2-3 (4-3-3) I think could be needed with a specialist defensive midfielder – just like we had last time, albeit that being a 4-1-4-1 under Marcelo Bielsa.
Last time, it was Kalvin Phillips who, for at least our first season back, played this role very well and I think we’ve probably already got the perfect player to fulfill this position. Ethan Ampadu has come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of campaigns and, while I think he would make a great centre-back, it could be that specialist role where he becomes crucial for us.
Able to tackle, play a pass and read the game, I reckon he could continue his development very well in the top flight and make that defensive midfield position his own.
What Can Aid This Tweak?
While, we probably do need an upgrade in the centre of the park, despite both Ilia Gruev and Ao Tanaka performing superbly, I feel that the one in front of Ampadu may be just as crucial.
Personally, I would be worried if we didn’t bring in that player – an all-action, high energy midfield lynchpin, able to cope with the physical rigours of the Premier League, chip in with the odd goal and, become a leader. A Steven Gerrard if you will.
He would be the key man to link Ampadu with whoever comes in as a number 10 and if we can build a solid midfield foundation, I think this could be key to our survival. In defence, I would expect a centre-back addition – someone to partner either Joe Rodon or Pascal Struijk, with Premier League, or top-level experience to add more steel and I think we need to scout carefully here.
It appears that we’re looking at the lad who captains Marseille – Leonardo Balerdi and from what I’ve seen I’m encouraged as well. The type of player I think we need and, Argentine centre-backs have a history of being some of the best in the game. It is reported that we are lining up a £20 million move – which does look to be a bargain at this level.
Defensive solidity for us will be fundamental if we are going to stay up and out of us and Burnley – considering how they easily conceded the least last season (ironically, we scored the most), it’s probably the latter who are more equipped at the moment.
That said, a new left-back to replace Junior Firpo (who looks set to move back to Real Betis) and a goalkeeper, with Illan Meslier seemingly likely to be sold are also two positions that we are rumoured to be interested in reinforcing.
Recent reports have linked us to Liverpool duo Caominh Kelleher (who I think with a solid defence in front of him can be class for us) and Kostas Tsimikas – again, with just the right amount of experience and is switched on defensively, without being too cavalier going forward. While the proposed fee of £40 million may seem a lot, I think, if we strengthen in the positions I mentioned above – this could turn out to be very good business.
How About Further Forward? What Is Needed For This Tweak?
That leaves us with a winger and centre-forward on the list. Joel Piroe is an excellent forward and I think he can do well in the top flight and cause teams problems, though he’s not a starter. While links to Jamie Vardy persist – who again, I think could be useful, but probably unlikely to happen – he wouldn’t be a starter, given his age.
I could throw many names at you right now – each as unlikely and ambitious as the next, though let’s not forget – we now have the Red Bull link and maybe, there is someone who could come in from left-field – probably not from an RB Leipzig, but I don’t think RB Salzburg is beyond the realms of possibilities.
That said, sometimes a ‘glamour’ signing in terms of a centre-forward doesn’t work out. Rodrigo Moreno was that man last time (signed as a 9 but generally worked better as a 10) and, while there was a lot of excitement, he didn’t really pull up any trees in terms of goal-scoring return. Just look at Chris Wood at Nottingham Forest (once of us, of course) – he may sound like a ‘boring’ name, but blimey, he’s still doing the business in his mid-thirties.
So, wrapping up – yep, I think a system tweak is definitely necessary for next season, though with well-thought out signings. Check in with me in a couple of months or so!
