Alli didn’t play at 10 really, it was more a 3 5 2 with 3 CMs. Especially on defence that was our shape which I’m not sure son Kane or vlahovic could do.
Dušan Vlahović
- Thread starter Archibald&Crooks
- Start date
dtxspurs
Welcome to the Good Life
- Dec 28, 2017
- 11,234
- 46,574
Solid front line. Looks pretty weak in midfield and at the back though…
Last edited:
- Jan 14, 2004
- 15,105
- 9,122
- Staff
- #64
That’s how I see it too if we sign Vlahovic.
there have been a lot of discussions about what will happen if/when we bring in Vlahovic or another out and out striker that we are clearly targeting. If we get someone of the ilk of Vlahovic, we will undoubtedly find a way to slot them in to the side and Harry will also almost certainly be starting so where does it leave Son.
The more I watch us under Conte the more I can see how we are starting to change, even if it looks a little pragmatic and lacking real inspiration there are very obvious adjustments and patterns of play that have been developing. There have been a lot of calls for a more creative player in the team but it really isn't how Conte operates. What he does do is get the team set up to be more than the parts and in particular tries to create overloads and spaces. Up until now our team doesn't quite seem to have the players or the balance to make it tick like a Conte team normally would (even if we haven't had much time to adapt to it). The additional striker will change the shape of the side subtly but also quite dramatically to make better use of the players we have.
If we have a second striker, I can see Son being utilized as the lone number 10 starting centrally behind the front two. That sounds on paper like a square peg in a round hole for sure but the role wouldn't be how we would normally consider a number 10. Conte has in the past used a forward starting centrally and moving into wide positions off the ball (think Lautaro Martinez at Inter). In this way Son as the central player can be free to move to either wide area to support the wing back and create overload situations. This is hugely important as Conte always likes to create automations that use the wing backs (either ball played into central midfielder and turned around the corner into wing back or the wide centre back playing progressive out ball directly). The problem in our side is that while Emerson and Reguilon are both willing and energetic runners, neither is good at beating a man with the ball. The result is often that they then stop the progression and play the ball back inside to a central midfielder or wide centre back and we recycle the automation again (I can hear the groans in my head when this happens). It makes it difficult to get the ball into the front 3 who are all narrow and structured but relatively easily marshalled by the opposition defence. Our best moments have actually come when the inside pass from wide has gone into Lucas or Son that have dropped deep and then they've beaten a man.
Which leads to the advantage of having Son in this central position moving wide. Not only does it give him the freedom to move into different areas to affect the game but it creates an overload that the opposition fullback really doesn't want and that other supporting defenders/midfielders will have a much harder time tracking. Moving from the central position creates that potential for space (Lautaro loved this) either because the midfielder doesn't follow Son, in which case he moves into space to overload the full back or the midfielder does follow Son and it leaves space for either/or Kane/Vlahovic to drop into. This gives the automation a few variations on how to be executed once the ball arrives to the wing back:
1. Son moves wide - wing back and Son have overload on full back area. Full back is scared of Son and allows more space for wing back to progress and get an easier cross into middle (where now both Kane and Vlahovic + opposite wing back are available as genuine targets)
2. Son moves wide - wing back and Son have overload on full back area. Full back continues to track wing back with ball who can then interchange with Son who has the ability to actually beat the full back either on the outside for a cross or cutting back in to get a shot off with right or left foot (something not too many players are capable of but Sonny can do from both sides)
3. Son moves wide - the defensive mid tracks Son's movement and wing back can't progress as easily. Kane drops of into deeper position into space vacated by defensive mid. Wing back plays inside to deeper Kane and Son runs in behind defence for the traditional Kane/Son link up. While this Kane dropping off scenario has been an issue for us recently because Kane can't be both the creator and an available finisher, we'd now still have Vlahovic as an in the box striker to pull defenders or be available for a squared ball across the box from a breaking Son. (This also works with Vlahovic dropping off and Kane staying high since Vlahovic is a decent hold up and creative Striker)
4. Son moves wide - all other options are well marshalled by opposition and the ball is switched to the opposite flank (say from right to left). Kane having dropped off now moves back into box and instead of Emerson being the man on the back post now Son is the third attacker on the back post waiting for ball coming in from Reguilon, ghosting in while opposition centre backs try to control Kane/Vlahovic.
Just by having the in to out forward the options on the automations open up massively and then the team doesn't rely on a creative player to come up with a moment of genius but instead rely on well drilled repetitions of these 4 scenarios and the off ball movement required to create the overloads and spaces. Son is pretty uniquely suited to this role with his ability to beat a man, cut in and strike off either foot, pace to run in behind and stamina to continually move into either wide area. Lucas/Gil may be able to have impact in this kind of role too although I can't imagine there wouldn't be a drop off in effectiveness.
From a defensive standpoint the role likely would be to press and assist the wing back if the ball is coming out to wide areas and to try to funnel the ball back centrally into the trap of Skipp/Hojbjerg so we can win it back again and restart the whole attacking process.
KirstyG
Well-Known Member
- Jul 16, 2015
- 1,060
- 4,396
You needn’t have anyone else on the pitch we’d be winning the lot with them lol
In all seriousness though, this would be some frightening forward line certainly up there with best in the league and (if firing), the very best!
curlacious
Don’t look at me. I’m irrelevant.
- Aug 29, 2017
- 2,129
- 10,105
Sorry, but any idea that we're looking to pair Vlahovic with Kane is wishful thinking. If he comes he's the Kane replacement.
- Jan 14, 2004
- 15,105
- 9,122
- Staff
- #67
I’m good with wishful thinking. We have Antonio Conte, we are trying to win things.
tony0379
The bald midget has to go!
- May 17, 2004
- 15,945
- 41,730
Thursday's poker night can't come quick enough
topper
Well-Known Member
- Jan 27, 2008
- 3,806
- 16,254
I'm already flush with excitement
Russ1201
Well-Known Member
- Aug 8, 2019
- 3,479
- 6,578
Midfield looks pretty strong compared to winks, Alli and Ndombele ?..... before Sunday that is ?
Mr Pink
SC Supporter
- Aug 25, 2010
- 55,361
- 100,848
topper
Well-Known Member
- Jan 27, 2008
- 3,806
- 16,254
What a pair we are! (I expect others would like to insert a word other than pair)
archiewasking
Waiting for silverware..........
- Jul 5, 2004
- 7,897
- 11,793
No idea what this means for us....
Vlahovic doesn't rely on whether Kane stays or goes. As has already been mentioned, he would be brought in to play with Kane.
Kane is far happier than he was since Conte joined us. He's been incredibly determined and motivated in training and I have no doubt we will start to see the benefit of that very soon.
I wouldn't be surprised to see us offer Kane a new deal and I wouldn't be surprised if he signed said contract.
The impact Conte has had since his appointment is huge. I can't wait for him to get some of his own players through the door to play with the likes of Kane.
Col_M
Pointing out the Obvious
- Feb 28, 2012
- 22,786
- 45,888
possibly that he is Dusan’s replacement
SandroClegane
Well-Known Member
- Jun 27, 2012
- 3,717
- 13,842
LOL at City moving Ferran Torres on to open the striker position up for Kane
archiewasking
Waiting for silverware..........
- Jul 5, 2004
- 7,897
- 11,793
So Paratici is involved with other teams' deals??? Or am I just confused??
Col_M
Pointing out the Obvious
- Feb 28, 2012
- 22,786
- 45,888
Fab Ramano is the Here We Go journo.
dtxspurs
Welcome to the Good Life
- Dec 28, 2017
- 11,234
- 46,574
Nope, Ikone is an out & out winger. Romano has said several times Ikone coming in has nothing to do with Vlahovic.
Similar threads
