The Gvardiol links aren't surprising me that much. We have become a traditional fullback-less team, and have been for a long time.
It's been clear to me over time that Pep doesn't really want to play with attacking fullbacks. When he does, he almost seems reluctant to do so.
1) Kyle Walker was a wide up and down fullback at Tottenham, but Pep pretty quickly turned him into a defensive fullback, or essentially CB in a back 3.
2) He who should not be named from Monaco at left back was definitely a player Pep wanted to be wide left, but then overtime we saw some issues, opposition finding space behind, Pep made him go inverted etc.
3) Cancelo was a traditional wide right back and Pep pretty much made him go inverted, and funny enough wide on the LEFT (inverted) way more often than on the right, but still, mostly inverted.
4) Sergio Gomez, Rico Lewis were traditional wide fullbacks, Gomez doesn't play, and Lewis' ability also suited him into midfield.
At this point, I don't even think the club wants traditional fullbacks, too many years show the opposite. So we might as well continue with CB's playing RB and LB and have them play defensive, then use a DM in Rodri (or Phillips) to play there as well.
Pretty much what happened at Aston Villa, where Bernie played DM, then Rodri pushed up next to him when we had possession.
Traditional 4141 but with Rodri CB to defend --> Traditional 3241 in possession where Rodri pushes
Might as well do this than find a fullback who can invert, as it accomplishes the same thing but with more comfortable players.
Ake/Gvardiol---Dias/Akanji----Rodri/Phillips----Stones/Walker
