In a midfield of 3 (Matic, Pogba, New Player)
1. What would be the best option?
A deep-lying playmaker like Pjanic OR an energetic midfielder similar to Vidal.
2. Could we play a midfield of 3 with a CAM such as Eriksen/Fekir/Isco...
3. Do you truly believe Mourinho is going to abandon 4231 for 433?
1. The perfect combination would be a mix of both, thus the lure to turn Pogba into a deeper-lying midfielder. The dynamic b2b would provide surging vertical runs through the lines, pressure on the first attacker in the defensive phase, physicality and mobility either when you want to slow things down or speed them up. The deep-lying playmaker would be the metronome in our half of the pitch. The idea here is that, if we manage to handle the ball well in our third (and under pressure), the more creative player will stop wondering whether they should drop deeper to help with the build-up or not and they will start being more positive in their movements (the old feeling that "it has finally clicked").
The plus with the former option is that it seems to be Mourinho's preferred choice when he plays his version of 4231. Don't forget that even when he didn't have this option he tried to create it for him. The utilization of Zanetti in Inter's midfield was one of Mourinho's last really brilliant ideas and rejuvenated Zanetti's already glorious career. Khedira was one of his finest transfer dealings and most people usually forget that during his first stint at Chelsea he didn't hesitate to experiment with Gudjohnssen there. That is because, as a transition-based manager, he prioritizes quick vertical movement on and off the ball more than anything else.
The plus with the second option is that you always have a player in a deeper role who is able to watch all the movements ahead of him and whose passing abilities can create all kinds of angles in order to attack your opponent's weaknesses. That's what Mourinho achieved with Fabregas the last time he won the PL title. At first glance, it looked like it was a risky tactic. But, according to Fabregas' own words (and maybe right there Mourinho can be a bit disappointed with Pogba), the Spaniard adapted his game to the particularities of his deeper role. That Chelsea side wasn't flamboyant by any means but as long as Fabregas had gas in the tank, they looked dangerous whenever they got over the halfway line.
In conclusion, create vertical movement either by signing a player who's really good at it or by generating it with passing skills. Looking back into Mourinho's textbook, Chelsea 2004-05 or Chelsea 2014-15. It can work either way.
2. It depends on what we are trying to do. Mourinho is one of the very few managers who still have faith in the old traditional #10. Both Ozil and Sneijder played some of the best football of their entire careers under Mourinho. Keep in mind though that this didn't happen by freeing them up but by giving them even more responsibilities on the pitch. They weren't exactly given a free pass at defending but they were recognized as the weakest link of the whole defensive plan which i guess is something that Pogba would like. But -and here comes the catch- they had to compensate for that with their exquisite off the ball movement and their sublime ability to find pockets of space between the lines. If Pogba can do that, it remains to be seen. But even at Juventus, he delivered the goods not so much because he was trying to adjust his movement to that of the players around him but more because the others were trying to adjust to him. Which i suspect is the reason why Paul presumably holds a grudge at Jose atm.
I believe the best Pogba can expect is something similar to the role Lampard had. One more thing, you mention Eriksen in your post and rightly so. He's doing wonders by starting on the wings but then seemingly having a free role when Spurs have the ball in the attacking half. I've often caught myself thinking that if Pochettino had Pogba's flair at his disposal he could make Spurs push for even greater things. But the real playmaker in Spurs' system is their pressing, their ability to regain possession high up the pitch. At its most extreme and when applied to perfection, high pressing makes people wonder "how can Klopp make Liverpool play so well with such a lacklustre midfield?". Unfortunately (my opinion), we don't have that option under Mourinho and we can't have that type of CAM.
3. Traditionally, his plan B revolves around the 442 diamond or more conservative forms of his preferred 4231. Of course, one can argue that with his choices for the player in the hole his formation looks closer to 433 (point forward) than to 4411 or traditional 442. Anyway, stranger things have happened in football and i don't believe he'll be so adamant about it if the 433 works for him.
