The 4-2-3-1 approach seems to be looking a bit stale for the Citizens. A 2-1 loss to Everton away from home isn’t terrible, and most are hopeful that we’ll be able to turn it around in the second leg, but should Manchester City be experimenting with a 4-3-3?
City have only scored three goals in the last three games and look to be out of ideas when holding possession in the final third. It’s worth noting that City average the most amount of crosses out of any top four team by some margin. Standstill crosses when the defence is already set up and only one or two blue shirts in the box, both of which aren’t over five feet eight inches, isn’t going to provide many opportunities to score. I believe this is because some of the most creative players in the squad are being stifled by the formation.
Aguero likes to play the line and can benefit from a variety of balls that isolate him and defenders. What he doesn’t benefit from is having to drop incredibly deep to get passes and then try to run through a number of players to get to goal. He also doesn’t benefit from the standstill crosses into the box, trying to win a header. By switching the formation to a 4-3-3, the opposition back line will be more stretched by the two other forwards, allowing more space and isolation for Aguero.
The two other wingers/forwards should be Sterling and Navas. Some may raise an eyebrow at the inclusion of Navas instead of the current mainstay on the right wing, De Bruyne, but there’s a method to my madness. Navas, though incredibly one dimensional, provides pace and an undeniable threat down the line. Sterling does virtually the same, but in a much more potent way. Sterling and Navas can attract the fullbacks to the wings, leaving more space in the middle for passing plays. So long as City’s fullbacks don’t crowd the same area and drag defenders over to those spots.
The midfield should consist of Silva, Fernandinho, and De Bruyne. Though the Belgian international has enjoyed a great start to his career at City, he is a more natural number ten. His most fruitful period for City came when Silva was injured, bagging four goals and six assists in the absence of the Spaniard. Since Silva’s return, he’s had one goal and two assists. Between Silva trying to find his pre-injury form, and De Bruyne occupying the creative area that the Spaniard usually doesn’t share; the two haven’t gelled quite yet.
Silva is the type of player to benefit and thrive off of quick passing and link up play; something that De Bruyne is more than capable of, both on a mental and technical level. Instead of relegating De Bruyne out to the wing where he’s isolated, the 4-3-3 can bring him inside and allow him to play in his more natural role, as well as form a better partnership with Silva. ‘KDB’ has a fantastic range of passing, matched with his incredible awareness on the pitch, a more central role is much more fitting. Fernandinho is more than capable of shielding the back four alone, and Silva and De Bruyne’s attitude’s seem good enough to appreciate and realise that they have their part to do defensively.
With the 4-3-3, the threat of goals is more evenly distributed amongst the team and plays more into City’s strengths. Strong technical ability and beautiful attacking football. Experimenting with different formations also allows for more tactical flexibility; an integral part of any title challenge.
