We won't need a number 10 if we have Pogba, Griezmann and Perisic in our team. I would say the team would create enough chances with those players in the team. Although, of course it is only my opinion and I could be wrong. I just think Pogba is good enough for a 10 role. He won't need to drop so deep when Fabinho gets here (hopefully) anyway.
Fabinho
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We won't need a number 10 if we have Pogba, Griezmann and Perisic in our team. I would say the team would create enough chances with those players in the team. Although, of course it is only my opinion and I could be wrong. I just think Pogba is good enough for a 10 role. He won't need to drop so deep when Fabinho gets here (hopefully) anyway.
Because that's how he's thrived, he's not a #9, he's a second striker that floats about and plays off a #9.
He was a winger not long ago. Who's to say he can't play as a right winger who's drifting towards the middle like Mata does.
God, Herrera hate is the worst thing on the forum at the minute. Barmy.
There is no reason why Griezmann can not play on the left or right whilst still having the role of a number 10 when attacking. That's if Pogba doesn't take that role. Honestly, I'm not the brightest when it comes to tactics etc but surely someones talent is not exhaustive to a position.
Anyway I'm confident we will see a trio of Herrera, Fabinho and Pogba more often than not. Obviously provided he signs in the first place.
That's what I think. Griezmann has proved over and over he's one of the most competent forward wherever he plays.
and what happens when one of the 3 is absent from injury or suspension?
That's why we have depth - Carrick, Fellaini, Andreas et al.
Even if he did he'd still need that specific type of #9 to float and play off.
Not as a pure 10, but Pogba in Sneijder role.
Pogba--
------------- -- Herrera
------Fabinho--
And on 'easier' games, we can have Mata/Mykhi there, with Pogba on Herrera's.
We can also have Griezmann on Ronaldo's as a free roaming striker on the wing. Then Pogba in Modric, Herrera in Kroos, and FFabinho in Casamiro.
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That is not quality depth. The drop between the first 3 and those you listed is too big.
With 3 midfielders, you have a higher risk of absences and need at least one but preferably 2, quality subs so that you midfield doesnt become hopeless every 2-5 games.
Any chance we can use Griezman as a false 9 or 9.5 in a 4-3-3 with inverted wingers cutting in for certain fixtures allowing guys like Martial and Rashford to use their pace cutting in from the wing? Especially when playing bottom 10 teams at home.
Going forward, our team hopes to have a bunch of fixtures per year (just not in Europa League). That will require different formations, which means 3 mids one game and other times maybe shifting to a 4-2-3-1.
Greizman in my mind is quite versatile. He's at his best as a 2nd striker, and in some games, we should absolutely utilize him there, but it is not like he can't play anywhere else at a high-level when needed.
Going forward, our team hopes to have a bunch of fixtures per year (just not in Europa League). That will require different formations, which means 3 mids one game and other times maybe shifting to a 4-2-3-1.
Greizman in my mind is quite versatile. He's at his best as a 2nd striker, and in some games, we should absolutely utilize him there, but it is not like he can't play anywhere else at a high-level when needed.
Its all relative to what Mourinho thinks he needs.
He is a top manager and knows what level of quality is required for depth. if he was planning to play a 3-man midfield we would be linked with more CMs. What we have is not suited to playing a 3 man midfield in our base formation.
We are more likely to see a 2-man midfield giving the number of AMs we have and are linked to.
He played with a 3 man midfield this year and didn't buy any midfielders beyond Pogba. In fact, he sold two prominent midfielders in the middle of the year, so I doubt depth is a major issue for Jose at the moment.
Not as a pure 10, but Pogba in Sneijder role.
Pogba--
------------- -- Herrera
------Fabinho--
And on 'easier' games, we can have Mata/Mykhi there, with Pogba on Herrera's.
We can also have Griezmann on Ronaldo's, a free roaming striker on the wing (on the other side). Then Pogba in Modric, Herrera in Kroos, and FFabinho in Casamiro.
I do hope that is how Mourinho sees Pogba rather than how we've seen him in a midfield 2 or sometimes behind Fellaini in a 3. Feels like we're only unlocking half of his potential by deploying him in the deeper roles despite how well he's been doing. Fabinho, in essence, could be the signing that unleashes Pogba so it's vital we sign him.
The sad thing for me is that Pogba and Herrera don't even come close to Modric and Kroos.
Because he isn't a #9. Do you really think we're going to spend massive money on someone who would be our best player in his actual position only to shove him into a totally different position in the hope that he'll adapt? That would be a pretty stupid approach to player recruitment and I don't in any way believe we are actually that stupid. Particularly given that even if Griezmann was a #9 (and he isn't), he still wouldn't be the archetypal Mourinho #9.
Dropping Herrera is far less of a crime against common sense than buying Griezmann and sticking him up front.
As for Fabinho vs Herrera, if it comes down to one of them partnering Pogba in a midfield two then Fabinho is a better fit.
Not as a pure 10, but Pogba in Sneijder role.
Pogba--
------------- -- Herrera
------Fabinho--
And on 'easier' games, we can have Mata/Mykhi there, with Pogba on Herrera's.
We can also have Griezmann on Ronaldo's, a free roaming striker on the wing (on the other side). Then Pogba in Modric, Herrera in Kroos, and FFabinho in Casamiro.
Would love this. Really hope this is the way Jose goes next season.
Just look how successful Madrid have been since they moved away from the 4231.
and you think he was happy with how the midfield performed? Its like saying cos Rashford played upfront this season, he would be the starting #9 next season.
We played a 3 man midfield out of necessity and not out of desire. If he planned on playing a 3-man midfield in most games, he would not sell 2 of those midfielders while showing little intent of adding more than one DM. ANy long term injury to any of the starting trio makes one of Fellaini or Carrick a long term starter. Doubt Mourinho is comfortable with such thots.
Everything points to a 2-man midfield in most games next season, and its mainly fans who dont want to see Herrera dropped to the bench and/or believe Pogba can only excel in a 3-man setup that are dreaming of otherwise.
He obviously wasn't elated at not having a proper DM. Once he gets him this summer, that will be that as Pogba and Herrera will be freed up to play in more advanced roles which will tremendously benefit the likes of Griezmann and others. Its obvious Herrera and Pogba are nailed on starters and Fabinho or the like will provide the final piece of the puzzle.
As for your last bit, Herrera wont be dropped because he's simply too valuable to not play.
Mourinho loves his 4-2-3-1 and there is no evidence that he has changed his preference. The two spots in the midfield will go to Pogba and the new DM. The moment we sign a true DM, Herrera will be relegated to the bench and starting in the few games where one of Pogba or DM is absent or we play a 3-man midfield. Barring long term injuries, He will still play significant minutes but will likely play the least minutes of the trio next season.
All you have to do is review the current squad and the rumored targets, and it is clear that a 4-3-3 which requires more CMs than AMs is not what Mourinho has in mind (and hasnt been since his first season at Inter). We already have many AMs and seem to be looking to add more, while I cant remember us being liked to any other CM than Sanches
If that were the case then he would've played as such this year with either Fellaini or Schneiderlin as DM - or if it was that important he would've prioritized buying a DM last summer. Neither happened, so we can't automatically presume that's still his preference. What we can go by is what he actually did - which is play with 3 midfielders. Until that changes, we can comfortably assume he will continue what he did this past year by adding a proper DM to the equation.
Carrick, Fellaini and Perreira. Put them next to any two of our starters they would do just fine and I doubt we need 3 CMs against the majority of teams in the league. Midfield and defence is not where we struggled at(Pogba missing aside which will be remedied by getting Fabinho and Griezmann). It's the attacking part we so badly need goals and consistent threats from wide.
Obvioisly, we won't play without a #9. Hoping for Belotti or Lukaku even though I won't cry if Mou settles for Rashford
Maybe not but that's the best midfield in the world and they are likely to retain the champs league. Have we ever had a midfield as good as that?
Fabinho (23 years), can play at CDM & RB. Naice 
potentially could be our long term CDM, gradually replacing Ander Herrera, and covering RB position.
potentially could be our long term CDM, gradually replacing Ander Herrera, and covering RB position.Rashford's similar Griezmann in that he's far better with a more physical #9 to play off. His hold-up play is nowhere near what it would need to be for him to even fit the position. That's without also considering the fact that he's definitely not starting quality. We definitely need to buy one this summer as we can't solely rely on Martial suddenly regaining the form he had in his debut season.
Mourinho sets his transfer targets for a 4-2-3-1, he does not care about big names, he would not have gotten Pogba if he did not think he could play in a midfield 2.
Mourinho used Ronaldo on the left in a 4-2-3-1 and he is terrible there from a tactical viewpoint because he does not do any defensive work.
If the manager does not change his formation to suit one the best players in the history of the game then he will not do it for anyone.
Mourinho used Ronaldo on the left in a 4-2-3-1 and he is terrible there from a tactical viewpoint because he does not do any defensive work.
If the manager does not change his formation to suit one the best players in the history of the game then he will not do it for anyone.
If you believe the stories going round we are in for Matic as well
Absolutely agreed. He's a monster physically, and people usually associate a player like that to do the 'dirty' work as his best. But Pogba is different. He's a special player with excellent skill and vision, supported by excellent physicality.
He can become a 'more well-rounded' player by let him do the attacking and defending duties (like B2B), but I'm with you that's curious on how far he can go, if he's given more freedom to move further up more often.
So I take your point with Keita but where did Herrera skilled at attacking? Am I missing something as I go to every home game and apart from occasional flashes his attacking play and creativity or goals are not his strong points.
By the way your wiki quote backs up my definition of a box to box player.
Barca like Madrid can go for most players so not getting your point. Both these teams currently have the most pulling power in football right now in my opinion.
No Herrera hate I think it's the opposite as people grossly over rating him. He's a good player but not top drawer.
I'm confused....isn't this the Fabinho thread?
I don't know why people are so sure about this at all. He's shown at least as much favour (if not more) towards 4-3-3 over 4-2-3-1. Same at Chelsea, Real and Inter.
He approached big domestic and European games in a 4-3-3 and only against minnows where his teams were easily dominating the midfield did he switch to 4-2-3-1.
I see no indication that he will abandon this formation altogether and he will surely want to have a strong enough starting XI for it. Probably one that doesn't involve Fellaini as much. Fabinho fits the profile of a player that can play at the base of the three allowing Herrera more freedom to ball chase and Pogba more freedom to join the attack.
Since his second season at Inter, his teams have been setup to play >80% of their games using in 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 in a few games. Mourinho will still play his 4-3-3 but only in the few games he feels it is needed.
No it does not? And you must be blind if you fail to see that Herrera contributes a lot in attack. Very good in the build up play
Why did they buy Andre Gomes for €55m then?
So still zero actual Fabinho news? Someone posted a podcast with Ogden earlier and in the chat about targets Fabinho didnt get mentioned once
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