There's a lot of melancholy on the boards of late given that many of our older stars are now leaving the club.
However, with the loss of our greats come exciting times as we rebuild and look to challenge both domestically and internationally next season. To do this, we will get new players and that is why I've created this thread in the transfers section rather than discussion.
Basically, one of Allegri's greatest criticisms is the lack of variation in formation and with massive changes in the squad, now more than ever before are we likely to see him make changes to his system. So, with this in mind, if he ever reads the board I think we should give him a helping hand by naming our lineups and systems for the coming season.
Obviously we will buy some players this summer, some of which have been confirmed. Going by the rumours in the press, we will apparently make one big signing as a sign of intent and motivation for the current group. Other signings will be deals we can find or based on sale of other players. Therefore, please be realistic with your ideas. For example, a big name like Ganso, Hernanes, Tevez or Balotelli might be realistic, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo clearly aren't.
I look forward to seeing what you might want to see.
----
For me, it's vital to see us getting the most out of what we have at the moment as well as dealing with the narrowness of the 4-3-1-2. I think realistically we will focus on our midfield, adding dynamic players, but I think given our weaknesses this year, we'll look for technical improvements. Therefore I think our big purchase might be for midfield. With this in mind, I can see us going for two targets. A technical midfielder who has the ability to create and a strong solid option to replace Van Bommel. For the role of the latter, I think Strootman of PSV is a target we can look to get, as Van Bommel's gone there and spoken highly of Milan and Strootman. Man Utd are our biggest rivals for his signature, but I think if clever we can get him for a reasonable price.
For the creative role, we recently got Montolivo who is technically very gifted and a good reader of the game, but not a marquee signing. In this regard, with the impending rumours of Robinho to Santos, I think we'll look to finally secure Ganso as our big purchase. His market value has dropped significantly due to his last injury, yet his performances have steadily improved on his return. He's intelligent and appears to know areas he needs to work on.
In goal, I think Abbiati will be kept as first choice and I doubt we'll make any major purchases (maybe bench players). In defence though, with Nesta leaving I think we'll look to fill the gap left, and I don't think Bonera, Mexes or Yepes have the faith to do this. Acerbi seems secured and it could be a prudent choice given the stats (see my post in the defender poll thread). Ogbonna's another I'm keen on, but I think given his contract situation and our numbers in central defence (Mexes, Thiago, Bonera, Yepes and probably Acerbi) we may decide to wait for the moment. Fullbacks I don't think we'll see major purchases, the options are pretty limited and I wouldn't be surprised if we start the season in testing Urby at LB more.
Our attack is pretty full already. I'm sure the club see Ibra, Robinho, El Shaarawy, Cassano and Pato, who I suspect the club will gamble on, as plenty up front. We might see purchases for the squad up front, such as a guy like Maxi who can act as vice Ibra (as can Pato mind), but this may not be the case. I think one forward out of Robinho, Cassano, Pato and El Shaarawy might leave as we just have too many for one role, with Robinho my favourite as mentioned above.
If in Allegri's shoes, I'd change system to focus heavily on maximising the runs from midfield with only Ibra as our reference point up front. I'd change to a staggered 4-4-1-1 with Boateng supporting Ibra, and then a creative heavy midfield that has runners in Nocerino and Strootman, leaving our starting/defensive system looking like:
-------------------Abbiati---------------------
Abate-------Acerbi---Thiago-----------Urby
------------Strootman------------------------
--Nocerino----------------Montolivo---------
------------------------------------Ganso-----
-------------------Boateng--------------------
----------------------Ibra----------------------
Might look a little lightweight on paper in midfield, as none are natural destroyers. However, statistics are rather interesting, as Montolivo actually on average makes more tackles per game than Van Bommel and in Serie A alone makes more interceptions (it's about even when factoring Van Bommel's performances in CL). Given Nocerino's strength in running forward and Boateng's natural movement to push into wide areas as we attack, the system would naturally change shape closer to 4-2-1-3 as we attack, as I'd want Nocerino pushing right up into the box (he has the energy to do this as we saw to great effect this season), Boateng to pull out left and Ganso taking up the trequartista role left by Boateng (it's a movement I've noticed Ganso do a lot at Santos), making our shape closer to this as we attack:
-----------------Abbiati--------------------
Abate-----Acerbi----Thiago--------Urby
-------------Strootman-------------------
--------------------------Montolivo--------
-------------------Ganso-------------------
--Nocerino--------Ibra---------Boateng--
Of course, one thing I haven't accounted for in this description is we have two attacking fullbacks, who I'd naturally expect to be overlapping on the wings in timed movements (something we can't do in 4-3-1-2 as we need fullbacks to always push to add width), hence I try not to push Strootman too high as he's protecting the defence, nor Montolivo (who is more of a water carrier in the system). That isn't to say Montolivo can't push up when we press high, as we'll press with 5 men across the defence and defensive midfield of opponents, making it difficult for opponents to get out from their defensive area (something Juve were good at this year). Our system would become 4-1-2-3 and with Strootman and defenders who can read the game well, we should still be covered for quick counters:
----------------Abbiati--------------------
Abate-----Acerbi----Thiago-------Urby
---------------Strootman----------------
--------Ganso----------Montolivo-------
--Nocerino------Ibra--------Boateng---
In this system, we'd make use of Boateng and Nocerino's (and sometimes even Montolivo) ability to break quickly and ability to push right up in support of Ibra who would remain our attacking reference point. With these guys in particular looking to break from deep, it also means Ibra can look to play them through if he drops back at all.
With Cassano's ability to start central and push left, or El Shaarawy's natural movement to the left, both can play in Boateng's role (neither offers the pressing Boateng does though). Pato can play in Ibra's role, though can start deeper in Boateng's role if needed. Muntari would be able to play the role Ganso and Montolivo does in this system, and to a lesser extent Strootman's, which Ambro would be able to do adequately. If we keep Flamini, he'd be an alternative to Nocerino, but if not then hopefully Traore can do this role. Basically, the point is we have players in the squad for this system, although naturally we'd need to adjust depending on the players available.
I personally like playing with 2 banks of 4 (even if staggered in this case) as it offers protection against a variety of systems, whether they be looking to hit us through the middle (which we can look for further protection, either by pulling Boateng back or making the midfield four really narrow) or out wide. With a staggered approach, it's more difficult for opponents to get spaces between the lines.
Anyway, I look forward to other opinions.
However, with the loss of our greats come exciting times as we rebuild and look to challenge both domestically and internationally next season. To do this, we will get new players and that is why I've created this thread in the transfers section rather than discussion.
Basically, one of Allegri's greatest criticisms is the lack of variation in formation and with massive changes in the squad, now more than ever before are we likely to see him make changes to his system. So, with this in mind, if he ever reads the board I think we should give him a helping hand by naming our lineups and systems for the coming season.
Obviously we will buy some players this summer, some of which have been confirmed. Going by the rumours in the press, we will apparently make one big signing as a sign of intent and motivation for the current group. Other signings will be deals we can find or based on sale of other players. Therefore, please be realistic with your ideas. For example, a big name like Ganso, Hernanes, Tevez or Balotelli might be realistic, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo clearly aren't.
I look forward to seeing what you might want to see.
----
For me, it's vital to see us getting the most out of what we have at the moment as well as dealing with the narrowness of the 4-3-1-2. I think realistically we will focus on our midfield, adding dynamic players, but I think given our weaknesses this year, we'll look for technical improvements. Therefore I think our big purchase might be for midfield. With this in mind, I can see us going for two targets. A technical midfielder who has the ability to create and a strong solid option to replace Van Bommel. For the role of the latter, I think Strootman of PSV is a target we can look to get, as Van Bommel's gone there and spoken highly of Milan and Strootman. Man Utd are our biggest rivals for his signature, but I think if clever we can get him for a reasonable price.
For the creative role, we recently got Montolivo who is technically very gifted and a good reader of the game, but not a marquee signing. In this regard, with the impending rumours of Robinho to Santos, I think we'll look to finally secure Ganso as our big purchase. His market value has dropped significantly due to his last injury, yet his performances have steadily improved on his return. He's intelligent and appears to know areas he needs to work on.
In goal, I think Abbiati will be kept as first choice and I doubt we'll make any major purchases (maybe bench players). In defence though, with Nesta leaving I think we'll look to fill the gap left, and I don't think Bonera, Mexes or Yepes have the faith to do this. Acerbi seems secured and it could be a prudent choice given the stats (see my post in the defender poll thread). Ogbonna's another I'm keen on, but I think given his contract situation and our numbers in central defence (Mexes, Thiago, Bonera, Yepes and probably Acerbi) we may decide to wait for the moment. Fullbacks I don't think we'll see major purchases, the options are pretty limited and I wouldn't be surprised if we start the season in testing Urby at LB more.
Our attack is pretty full already. I'm sure the club see Ibra, Robinho, El Shaarawy, Cassano and Pato, who I suspect the club will gamble on, as plenty up front. We might see purchases for the squad up front, such as a guy like Maxi who can act as vice Ibra (as can Pato mind), but this may not be the case. I think one forward out of Robinho, Cassano, Pato and El Shaarawy might leave as we just have too many for one role, with Robinho my favourite as mentioned above.
If in Allegri's shoes, I'd change system to focus heavily on maximising the runs from midfield with only Ibra as our reference point up front. I'd change to a staggered 4-4-1-1 with Boateng supporting Ibra, and then a creative heavy midfield that has runners in Nocerino and Strootman, leaving our starting/defensive system looking like:
-------------------Abbiati---------------------
Abate-------Acerbi---Thiago-----------Urby
------------Strootman------------------------
--Nocerino----------------Montolivo---------
------------------------------------Ganso-----
-------------------Boateng--------------------
----------------------Ibra----------------------
Might look a little lightweight on paper in midfield, as none are natural destroyers. However, statistics are rather interesting, as Montolivo actually on average makes more tackles per game than Van Bommel and in Serie A alone makes more interceptions (it's about even when factoring Van Bommel's performances in CL). Given Nocerino's strength in running forward and Boateng's natural movement to push into wide areas as we attack, the system would naturally change shape closer to 4-2-1-3 as we attack, as I'd want Nocerino pushing right up into the box (he has the energy to do this as we saw to great effect this season), Boateng to pull out left and Ganso taking up the trequartista role left by Boateng (it's a movement I've noticed Ganso do a lot at Santos), making our shape closer to this as we attack:
-----------------Abbiati--------------------
Abate-----Acerbi----Thiago--------Urby
-------------Strootman-------------------
--------------------------Montolivo--------
-------------------Ganso-------------------
--Nocerino--------Ibra---------Boateng--
Of course, one thing I haven't accounted for in this description is we have two attacking fullbacks, who I'd naturally expect to be overlapping on the wings in timed movements (something we can't do in 4-3-1-2 as we need fullbacks to always push to add width), hence I try not to push Strootman too high as he's protecting the defence, nor Montolivo (who is more of a water carrier in the system). That isn't to say Montolivo can't push up when we press high, as we'll press with 5 men across the defence and defensive midfield of opponents, making it difficult for opponents to get out from their defensive area (something Juve were good at this year). Our system would become 4-1-2-3 and with Strootman and defenders who can read the game well, we should still be covered for quick counters:
----------------Abbiati--------------------
Abate-----Acerbi----Thiago-------Urby
---------------Strootman----------------
--------Ganso----------Montolivo-------
--Nocerino------Ibra--------Boateng---
In this system, we'd make use of Boateng and Nocerino's (and sometimes even Montolivo) ability to break quickly and ability to push right up in support of Ibra who would remain our attacking reference point. With these guys in particular looking to break from deep, it also means Ibra can look to play them through if he drops back at all.
With Cassano's ability to start central and push left, or El Shaarawy's natural movement to the left, both can play in Boateng's role (neither offers the pressing Boateng does though). Pato can play in Ibra's role, though can start deeper in Boateng's role if needed. Muntari would be able to play the role Ganso and Montolivo does in this system, and to a lesser extent Strootman's, which Ambro would be able to do adequately. If we keep Flamini, he'd be an alternative to Nocerino, but if not then hopefully Traore can do this role. Basically, the point is we have players in the squad for this system, although naturally we'd need to adjust depending on the players available.
I personally like playing with 2 banks of 4 (even if staggered in this case) as it offers protection against a variety of systems, whether they be looking to hit us through the middle (which we can look for further protection, either by pulling Boateng back or making the midfield four really narrow) or out wide. With a staggered approach, it's more difficult for opponents to get spaces between the lines.
Anyway, I look forward to other opinions.