Old tactics with modern teams (THREAD)

The Pyramid (2-3-5) source: Inverting the Pyramid

A little historical background first and then thru data analysis, I'll try to find the perfect player to the most important position in the pyramid. /1

This was the first recognized formation from the late 1870s. In 1878, @Wrexham_AFC lined up in the Welsh Cup Final in a 2-3-5. From the forward line, one of the centre-forwards was deployed into the midfield, essentially becoming the centre-half. /2

He became a multi-skilled all-rounder, defender and attacker, goal-scorer and destroyer. As for the teams' tactics, the most resembling one to nowadays came from @NUFC: the triangular game, passing movement between the half-back, the inside-forward and a winger on either flank /3

Considering these facts, I've decided to find the centre-half in today's game and build his team around him. Inspired by @MartonBalla1, I filtered thru data from @fbref:
- listed only as MF in the top5 league
- npxG + xA/90 > 0.20 in 2019/20
- equal contribution to defence /4

As you can see, the stats are relatively non-related. This is because, in the modern game, the roles became much more separated than before. It is hard to find an all-round player so I took 'pressures made per 90' and 'tackle attempts per 90' /5

...to see who contributed to the defensive work the most while still being high on the goal-creating end. After going thru other charts as well, the result is surprising: Mario Pasalic was the closest player that I was looking for, while @Atalanta_BC could play in the 2-3-5 /6

The triangular game is Gasperini's big weapon on the flanks, so it's a no-brainer, while Pasalic is well-suited to his historical role.

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