TEAM GIO
THE CITY BLUEPRINT
The team is built unashamedly around Pep Guardiola's City side that has dominated the Premier League over recent years (a whopping 198 points in 2 seasons, on track for their 4th title in 5 years). The players are set up in a 4-3-3 shape and have all been selected based on their specific fits to the shape and system. Moreover, only players from the Premier League era who fit the profile have been chosen:
- passing and ball retention - fundamental for any team wishing to dominate the ball
- technique - ability to handle pressure and take the ball in tight areas and progress forwards
- ability to play in a high line and high press - the pace and proactivity to defend high and dominate territory, with physical and energetic midfielders and attackers to win the ball back early.
CANTONA AS A FALSE 9
I cannot help but feel Cantona would love to play as the centre-piece in a Pep-styled attack. He can use his physical presence to hold the ball in, his exceptional technique to drop off the defence and into the hole, and then his vision and craft to thread in runners. With the goal machine Salah on his right, and the line-hugging speed merchant Sane on his left, Eric will enjoy the space they will create both for servicing and for his own devices. With the elite ball retainers behind him in Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Modric and Trent, he will receive the ball frequently and the limelight he craves.
TEAM LORD SINISTER
Formation: 4-4-1-1
Style of play: Direct
Tactics: A fluid direct attacking football, where the aim is to get the ball as quickly as possible to opposition box.
In the defense, we have an excellent goal keeper who is confident and commanding in Emi Martinez, two really excellent full backs who are moving forward the tradition of changing the roles of full backs in football, with two center backs who are not only excellent defensively, but are also comfortable on the ball. A midfield consisting of the defensive astute Mascherano with the criminally underrated Cazorla, who was like every other elite Spanish midfielder of his era, excellent on the ball, hard working and able to dictate the game. Than in the wings we have the best left winger/playmaker in EPL history, if we do not count Cristiano(sorry Giggsy, but Hazard in his peak was a better individual player) and a young Robben who tore apart the EPL, and than in attacking midfield, is the chance creating machine Bruno and upfront is Suarez, arguably the best striker to grace EPL, if we discount longevity and just look peak.