The Manager Disciples Draft Now is the time to rank our teams. EVALUATION Please remember, we are ranking the teams that represent the manager's philosophy and style the best (not the team with the 11 greatest players in it!). Who has constructed the best manager rebuild and stayed faithful to their tactical blueprint? Please post your team profile in this thread: - Provide a succinct description and summary of your manager's key tactics, philosophy and playing style (please don't post a 1,000 word essay). - An example team of your manager could also be included (i.e if you chose Carlo Ancelotti, you could post a picture of his AC Milan '07 Xmas tree side, as your source of inspiration). You could briefly mention how each player you drafted fits into the mould of your manager's philosophy/style. - Include your formation. VOTING We will be ranking the Top 7 teams. 1st: 2nd: 3rd: 4th: 5th: 6th: 7th:
Diego Simeone's Atlético Madrid, 2016 UEFA Champions League Final Narrow 4-4-2 with a focus on defensive compactness and quick transitions. Becks and Nedvěd are both hard-working, creative wide players who will both drift infield similarly to Saúl and Koke when we don't have the ball, making us harder to play through. The passing range of Becks and Alonso will allow us to catch teams out on the counter when we win possession. Sheva's pace and ability to run the channels combined with the hold-up play make them the perfect targets for this kind of service.
Michel Hidalgo - Carre Magique Formation: 4-2-2-2 Philosophy, approach: Flat back four with 2 attacking full backs who provide the width of the formation. Both should have the stamina and endurance to man their flanks. 2 CB’s who are defensively sound. One midfield specialist who is able to sit in front of the defence but also provide physicality and steel for the midfield unit. One defensive box to box midfielder who covers a lot of grass. The two AM’s are total footballers that can score, create and also great dribblers. A left wing forward/striker who is able to peel wide and more of a centre forward to complete the formation. Defence: Rio and Vierchowod is a classic sweeper / stopper combo that provide a solid base. Dani Alves is an excellent Amoros incarnation able to bomb forward but also being solid at the back. On the other side we have another attacking full back in Lizarazu who is familiar with narrow formations and played the same role in 98 World Cup where he was again the more attacking full back of the two. Midfield: Toninho Cerezo again is a pretty familiar face in this type of formation being the base of Brazil’s variant of the magic square in 82. He brings the energy, physical presence and also the tactical discipline of Fernandez, whilst also having the Brazilian flair. Edgar Davids is easily the best Tigana replica out there - abundance of energy, able to eat a lot of grass and the exactly same defensive box to box with excellent technique able to keep things ticking in midfield. Diego Maradona is the crown jewel of the formation and main man in the same mould Platini was. Both were often compared in the 80’s and bring the passing range, finish of changes and being the main conductor in their teams. David Silva, like Giresse is a little magician with great dribbling skills who can act as an auxiliary playmaker of the team. Attack: Composed of a more classic number 9 in Lewandowski and a more rounded wing forward in Cristiano. Both are great poachers with top class finishing ability that can convert the abundance of chances the creative midfielders behind them can provide.
Valeriy Lobanovskyi - the scientific approach Philosophy and style - emphasis on the system rather than the individual. - players must be able to play in offense and defense equally effectively, fitting into different positions. - defend as a team, relying on aggressive pressing. Pressing was a collective effort, and whenever a player moved up the pitch, a teammate covered his position. - On the ball, break with pace, exploiting the space we have created. - possess a range of attacking options that will force the opponent to make a mistake. Highly responsive with fast reaction speeds, frequently increasing the tempo. - Keep the playing area as large as possible while in possession, and as small as possible without the ball. - preferred formation is 4–1–3–2.
Mourinho's Chelsea 2004-2006 ^ Main formation/tactics I'm using this as my inspiration. The image/formation above comes from the following article from which the quoted sections below are taken. This will be used to compare my team to the team above: José Mourinho's 04/05 Chelsea Tactical Philosophy ^ graphic/formation showing players in my team with equivalents to Chelsea 04/06 Xi For written comparisons between my XI and Mourinho's 04-06 Chelsea players click spoiler: Spoiler Goalkeeper Schmeichel is a big character (which will be a theme of the team) who has presence and commands the box well. He fits the Mourinho mentality as a leader and strong personality. Defence Adams is certainly the 'stopper' and Baresi, often described as a 'sweeper', is perfect for the 'cover' role. The pairing of 'old fashioned English centre half' and European, 'more technical' sweeper makes so much sense. Add to that both Baresi and Adams are leaders, captains, braveheart types - this fits perfectly with Mourinho's mentality (think Lucio and Walter Samuel) and will be evident throughout the team. Now I take issue with this description as neither Gallas or Ferreira were what I would call 'wing backs' in the Marcelo, Maicon mould and Cole joined after the 05/06 season. In Gallas they had a CB playing LB, as Chivu did for Mourinho at Inter Milan. When Cole came in as an attacking LB (after the first two titles which was the team this is based on), the more defensive Ivanovic played at RB. So I see Mourinho as usually having one defensive full back and one more attacking one. In this case Thuram is the Gallas replacement (the defensive full back). Unlike Marcelo and Maicon, Ferreira was a right back, not a right wing back, he could go forward, he could defend, he was a specialist back four right back. That is how I see Stuart Pearce at left back, a straightforward back four left back playing left back in a back four. To bring in an attacking left back would not be being true to the 'park the bus' mentality of Mourinho's 04-06 Chelsea. Pearce is also another braveheart type, another leader and fits the all-hands-on-deck mentality of this team and that Mourinho instilled in all of his successful teams. Central Midfield It is difficult to fill the position known as 'the Makelele role' without picking Makelele. The job is to pretty much sit in front of the back four, it needs someone disciplined. Again I've gone for a braveheart leader type, this time a Ballon d'Or winner! Matthias Sammer is perfect for the role, essentially a centre back playing in midfield, he played the Makelele role before Makelele! A 'workhorse' who can 'break up play'? Not many can do what Essien can do but Roy Keane is perfect for that role. Another braveheart captain type who would also be up for the famous Mourinho shithousery. The bad boy type that Mourinho loves. With Gerrard, I've gone for another like-for-like player, a talisman in midfield. Another leader too. Just like Lampard, Gerrard is an attacking BBM who contributes goals and assists. I'd argue that Gerrard was more physical and a better leader in the old fashioned Adams, Pearce, Keane mould than Lampard which fits nicely in this team and the Mourinho mentality. Wing Forwards Conti is the hard working winger and on the right (with the more defensive Thuram behind him) will play as more of a winger, mainly staying out wide (similar to Duff). Rivaldo, like Robben, will cut inside and support the striker. I see his role as being similar to Cristiano Ronaldo in Mourinho's Real Madrid team and Eto'o on the right in Mourinho's CL winning Inter Milan team, almost playing as a second striker at times. Perhaps a more attacking left back would have helped balance the team but in Mourinho's parking the bus style of 04-06 Chelsea, a wing back in a back four didn't seem right. The other thing Rivaldo has in common with Ronaldo and Eto is that he is physically imposing. Despite being a Brazilian flair player, he's 6'2 which helps when often it'll be him and Koller on their own up front. Centre Forward For me, this description overstates Drogba's role. With the other nine outfield players often behind the ball, Drogba's job was to hold the ball up and win any long/direct balls or crosses. He was all about strength, height and physicality. Who better to fill that role than the man mountain Jan Koller?! The ultimate target man! Mentality We have a team full of captains, warriors, braveheart types. We have a solid back four protected by three tough tackling midfielders, perfect for parking the bus in true Mourinho style. We have hard working wing-forwards and the ultimate target man. Mourinho's teams were about 'all hands on deck' and there is not one person in my line up that would shirk their responsibilities. The only problem I can see is picking the captain!!!
Great shot stopper and ball playing goalie, perfect for distribution to a solid and competent defence. Pacy fullbacks who would be great at linking up with the wingers, solid in defence too. A dream centre half pairing capable of taking on any attacker. A well balanced midfield with great ball retention and ball winning ability. Front three has a great balance of pace, vision, skill and finishing ability in order to win games and makes life difficult for the opposition. Every player has an excellent level of technical ability and will be happily fit into a possession based style that Guardiola would employ.
Thomas Tuchel Chelsea, pretty straight forward with mostly direct remakes in terms of personnel. In some cases i went a bit different with what i believe he would want or expect from someone rather then what he has or what he is getting. Alisson / Mendy Here is the case what i believe he would prefer rather then a straight swap, modern keeper sweeper that is great on the ball rather then a more classic keeper in Mendy. Belodedici / Thiago Silva The 36 year old brazilian surprised pretty much everyone how well he adopted to the PL and how brilliant he still is considering the age, physically not as dominant as before but his football brain is on next level so my aim was to get someone that was close in terms of playing style and more importantly one that relied on his brain rather then physical attributes. Step up Miodrag Belodedici, immense centerback that was robbed in 91 Balon d'Or awards, defensive mastermind of two major surprises in European Cup, winning the big thing with both Zvezda and Steaua. Ferrara / Azpi Not that similar but they offer pretty much the same things, Ferrara is one of the most complete defenders of all time who was comfortable both as a centerback and fullback just like he was in back 4 and back 3 Rijkaard / Rudiger Great athletic and physical attributes, brilliant defenders, comfortable on the ball and both love a good offensive run with the ball. Cafu / James Brehme / Chilwell Great engines, great delivery, great wingbacks. Tigana / Kante Pretty much a perfect replica Pirlo / Jorginho As above just with a gap in quality. Stoichkov / Werner Picked what Tuchel would probably want from Werner rather then what he is getting. Very similar in style with exception of bulgarian not being shit. Scholes / Mount This was a difficult find but i actually like it - young version of Scholes. Good engine, great of the ball, solid dribbler, big goal threat, more of a midfielder then the attacker so very much like Mount. Socrates / Havertz Pretty straight forward
Carlos Bianchi's style Regarded as one of the best South American coaches of all-time, Bianchi achieved tremendous success with Vélez Sarsfield in the mid 1990's, but he caused an even greater revolution by taking command of Boca Juniors and leading it to a historic period of success between the late 1990's and the beginning of the 21st century with a very particular imprint and a system that he made his own. This is the exemplification of his typical system and style: 4-3-1-2 Based on a combative spirit and permanent pressure of its first 2 lines, the basic characteristics were the offensive input of his 2 side-backs (who were equally brave and exemplary in defense) and a particular midfield formed by a 3-men first line, with a typical anchor-man and 2 box-to-box midfielders who strengthened the recovery in that area and capable of moving vertically to the attack. This line protected and provided freedoms to the playmaker, who could move wherever he wanted for the elaboration. The attacking pair was formed by a support striker able to move freely on the attacking front or partner with the playmaker to break lines facing the opposing defense and a characteristic striker (9) capable of fighting physically, opportunistic and strong in the area, quick to find spaces and adept at receiving aerial-balls from the flanks. This is my European adaptation: 4-3-1-2
Jürgen Klopp Taking inspiration from both his Liverpool and Dortmund teams. Few key pointers: 1. Klopp loves attacking full backs, we got just that in Cabrini and Amoros. Been a feature of both Klopp teams. 2. Midfield trio can sustain possession and press to gain it back quickly. Zidane when joining the attack, gives the team a 4-2-3-1 shape and while defending or .recycling possession we keep the 4-3-3. 3. Pacey front 3. Messi, Neymar as the two high scoring wide forwards support by a very complete Eto'o up top. Can be fairly compared with Liverpool.
Cruyff played a 3-4-3 in Europe against better continental teams. However, he also had a formation with a back four that he played. I've decided that instead of just focusing on one of Cruyff's playstyles, I wanted to create a team that has players that would be able to play and adapt to both on the fly anytime in the game. I believe I've done so. DEFENCE While Cruyff won the EC in 92 with a back 3, I've decided to build it as a back four. Scirea can still get forward just as Koeman and trust that Busquets will have his back defending for him just like Guardiola. I needed a DM who can also play CB, and that's Busquets up and down. Costacurta was chosen as Scirea's tag team partner. Cruyff's back three in 92 was a centreback and two fullbacks. While Costacurta is not going to be that traditional fullback, he did play that position some, and he's got the abilities to help me achieve both backlines that Cruyff won 4 straight La Ligas with. I believe my back line can be very fluid, just as Cruyff intended. Both of my full backs are more than capable of providing width and getting in crosses, while tracking back to defend. Even if both are forward, Busquets can easily sit back with Costacurta and Scirea. MIDFIELD The two stars of the Cruyff midfield were Laudrup and Guardiola. Starting with Guardiola, as I had mentioned in my defence section, it was important to find someone that could not only fill in at centreback when asked, but have the passing prowess to get the ball where it needed to be. The defensive midfielder role in Cruyff's system had the most work to do of them all when it came to passing. Cruyff played with triangles, and this player played with nearly a lane to each and every player on the pitch. Busquets being an elite passer helps me with this. My midfield is definitely a combination of both teams. Schweinsteiger will be all over the pitch for me, and I'll be asking Roberto Falcao to play as an attacking minded central midfielder. He will have the license to make attacking runs just as is expected of a Cruyff style team. Then there's Zico. I used to argue that Zico would have been the perfect False 9, and was essentially playing like one before it ever existed. He was an attacking midfielder who could hit the perfect pass for an assist, or just score it himself. He created like a 10, and still scored as well as any great number 9. A quote from Wikipedia about Zico: "In addition to being an elite creator of goal scoring opportunities, Zico was also a prolific goal scorer himself and an excellent finisher, due to his powerful and accurate striking ability, which made him extremely clinical in front of goal; as such he is also regarded by pundits as one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of the game." If that doesn't perfectly describe a false 9, then what does? ATTACK I believe Cruyff use wide forwards about as good as anybody did. Having Henry and Rummenigge to be the attackers Zico has to find for goals just -chef's kiss-'s this whole thing in my opinion. While Stoichkov became one of the all-time greatest as a wide forward under Cruyff, I've essentially put one on each side of the pitch. These two can even fill in more like the 92 lineup as just a CF and SS, or they can be the RWF and LWF from the 94 team. CONCLUSION I believe I've done a solid job of molding both of his EC/CL final teams together. Everything good Cruyff was known for is here, and possible with the players I've chosen. They can easily form either lineup, and no quality is lost. I think the biggest key players - Koeman, Guardiola, Laudrup, and Stoichkov - are all represented with elite replacements in Scirea, Busquets, Zico, and Rummenigge. I've done more research on this team than probably all the research I did for anything else in all four years of high school. I hope I got it right.
Classic 4-4-2 Overlapping fullbacks, I.e. Irwin, Neville, Evra. Tough CB pairing who are comfortable on ball, I.e. Pallister & Bruce, Vidic & Ferdinand. Dynamic Midfield duo, box to box ball winner and playmaker who can sit deep or join Attack. I.e. Keane & Scholes. Attacking wide men, with Bale able to get back and forwards. I.e. C. Ronaldo, Giggs, etc. Bergkamp in Cantona role. Ronaldo.....well an upgrade on any striker tbh
