Big fan of the 3421 personally. That will end up being increasingly common in the UK in the next 18 months in the same way that 4231 took off ten-plus years ago, after the continent had been at it for ages. It’s already being used a lot across Europe and at international level. Conte used it at Chelsea in 16/17 when he won the title and it seemed to take off from there, but not in this country. Dortmund have played it a lot in the last year or two (ditto Bayern) and use it to push the likes of Sancho into CAMs that operate in the channels as opposed to out and out wingers / wide attackers. Leicester have used it a number of times this season too. Half the Premier League will use it at least semi-regularly by 2022/23 as it favours really good technical players, as well as those with pace and energy, which all elite clubs have been focussing on for the last 10+ years in terms of player development. It’s ‘next’.
At this level, however, I think 433 is pretty ideal, so long as you don’t drop too deep and can keep the wide forwards up and alongside the 9. It’s very easy to isolate the centre forward unless you’re willing to remain brave, and if one of the non-holding midfielders starts dropping too deep to get the ball off the centre backs you end up in a 4231, which at this level is my least favourite formation. We go through phases of trying it or morphing into it and it doesn’t often work - we spent a lot of time in it over the last couple of months when we were struggling for goals and wins. Last night was a masterclass in the 433 and the merits of holding your nerve with that shape. If you keep the two centre mids from dropping off and ensure that the wingers want to attack then you can essentially turn it into an attacking 4141, which is a formation a lot of people mistake as being ultra defensive. The shape itself isn’t defensive, it’s where the lines are and how far up the pitch you place them.
I think I’m going blind. Could somebody please help me find my anorak and my flask?
