I mused earlier on in the season - most likely due to the poor return in performance and points - whether Pep was becoming the next Wenger; stubbornly plugging away at the same style of play and unwilling to adapt and progress, when teams figure us out.
It goes to show just how much of a genius the man is - and probably how much of a fuckwit I can be - with the performances we’ve been putting in and the return we’re now seeing.
I think he is stubborn, and I do think he’s unwilling to tear up his style of play - maybe it’s just me, who was behind on the understanding, but we’re only now beginning to see that he IS ALWAYS adapting and progressing. Whether or not we can pick it apart and see it, he’s just further adapting his style towards something not many people could imagine.
Everyone is baffled and in awe of our full back deployment - Cancelo in particular, and it’s just an extension of his ploy of a dizzying rotating front 5, first seen at Barca. We’re now seeing a migraine inducing rotating 8, and 2 solid CBs. It must be hell for any team who wants to come and play football.
We saw the early development of this plan with Delph and Walker at the start of last season and we were all confused. It didn’t seem to work completely until he got Cancelo up to speed, and Zinchenko progressed. I don’t think Zinchenko’s inclusion and deployment as a fullback was a happy accident - and although Pep probably has a better target in mind now (Alaba?) - I think he hand picked Zinchenko with this in mind.
What did we see at the start of this season which seemed to be a disastrous bit of experimentation - a double pivot. And whilst I hate it, could it not be the seed of Pep’s next master plan to expand further into this fluid rotating team?
Imagine we see next season:
1, A fluid front 5 rotating at will
2, Wingers and fullbacks that can easily rotate between positions with CDMs that can slide across to cover where needed
3, CDMs and CBs that can rotate freely, allowing ball playing CBs to carry the ball forwards and start attacks, and CDMs that can drop in and comfortably remain solid with the remaining CB
I fully imagine this is Pep’s overall goal - 10 outfield players that can all play about 3 positions a piece, and can rotate fluidly but comprehensively. Will it work? I don’t know. But if anyone can do it...
Nerve shredding thought... with Ederson’s ability with the ball at his feet are we going to see our keeper eventually stepping out into CB territory to regularly ping balls about, and a CB stepping in behind to try and clear pot shots over the top? :|
Maybe I’m just late to this idea and everyone’s been keeping quiet - I take back my statement earlier this season though. Pep’s no Wenger.