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THREAD: How to get the best out of Mason Mount in a midfield pivot.
(In Tuchel’s 3-4-3 system)
(In Tuchel’s 3-4-3 system)
After the Brighton game, persons were quick to dismiss Mount as a future midfield-pivot option.
However, what if there was a way to unlock Mason’s attacking strengths (even as a no.6), while still preserving our defensive stability?
Read the rest of the thread to see just how.
However, what if there was a way to unlock Mason’s attacking strengths (even as a no.6), while still preserving our defensive stability?
Read the rest of the thread to see just how.
In our default 3-4-3 system, the 1st order of business, will be to:
1) Allow Jorginho to play to his strengths (sitting in front our 3 CBs where he can be pivotal to our build up play)
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2) Allow Mason to play to his strengths, where he has the license to join our attacking 5
1) Allow Jorginho to play to his strengths (sitting in front our 3 CBs where he can be pivotal to our build up play)
&
2) Allow Mason to play to his strengths, where he has the license to join our attacking 5
How do we accomplish those 2 above criteria?
We rotate our midfield pivot vertically to form a 3-3-1-3 as such, in attack:
We rotate our midfield pivot vertically to form a 3-3-1-3 as such, in attack:
Since Tuchel likes to build play via wide areas, we’d implement the following passing diamonds:
This requires 1 wingback to always drop into midfield as an inverted wingback, to preserve our defensive structure.
This requires 1 wingback to always drop into midfield as an inverted wingback, to preserve our defensive structure.
Upon progressing the ball up the diamond on the RHS, we can then form the following triangle between RJ, Mount & CHO.
This allows for Mason to retain his usual RAM position in our attacking 5, while simultaneously allowing for:
This allows for Mason to retain his usual RAM position in our attacking 5, while simultaneously allowing for:
1) CHO to retain his wide RW position (where he is so deadly at, when playing as RWB.)
2) RJ to retain the ability to make dangerous deliveries into the box (while not being required to overlap as much.)
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3) Pulisic to make those far post, off-the ball runs into the box.
2) RJ to retain the ability to make dangerous deliveries into the box (while not being required to overlap as much.)
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3) Pulisic to make those far post, off-the ball runs into the box.
NB: Here, the attacking 5 (in red) has the license to get up the pitch, while the defensive 5 (in black) must stay back to preserve our defensive stability.
On the LHS, on the other hand, we would form the following triangle upon progressing the ball up our build-up-play diamond.
Here, Mason will retain a familiar LAM position, while:
1) Allowing Chilwell to overlap (as that is his strength)
2) Allowing Pulisic to play as an inverted winger (as Puli likes to make inverted on-the-ball runs into the box.)
3) Having CHO available wide for a switch in play
1) Allowing Chilwell to overlap (as that is his strength)
2) Allowing Pulisic to play as an inverted winger (as Puli likes to make inverted on-the-ball runs into the box.)
3) Having CHO available wide for a switch in play
It must be noted however, that this system is not only limited to attacking from the wing.
It also creates tons of space in the center, to exploit.
It also creates tons of space in the center, to exploit.
This is because, having 5 players involved in a passing diamond, results in an overload on the wing, whereby many of the opposition’s players will be drawn in.
Therefore, a huge gap is left at the center of the field, as a result (red circle)
Therefore, a huge gap is left at the center of the field, as a result (red circle)
This huge gap allows for our remaining surrounding players to alternately roam into the red circle, to:
1) Provide an extra passing option for those in our passing diamond to relay the ball to.
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2) Create space for off the ball runs in behind.
1) Provide an extra passing option for those in our passing diamond to relay the ball to.
&
2) Create space for off the ball runs in behind.
Examples of such movements are:
a) Kai dropping deep, into the red circle, to provide a passing option for those in the passing diamond.
Here, Kai drags his marker out of position, for Pulisic to make an off the ball run in behind to exploit the space left as a result.
a) Kai dropping deep, into the red circle, to provide a passing option for those in the passing diamond.
Here, Kai drags his marker out of position, for Pulisic to make an off the ball run in behind to exploit the space left as a result.
b) Pulisic dropping deep into the red circle, allowing space out wide for Chilwell to run in behind as an overlapping wingback.
(NB. for this to happen, Reece James will have to fill the midfield gap left by Chilwell)
(NB. for this to happen, Reece James will have to fill the midfield gap left by Chilwell)
These combinations and movements make this system very dynamic, and as you can see, it allows our players to adopt the roles that they prefer and are most suited to.
Furthermore, we all know that RJ played as a CDM for many years and can play this role perfectly, however, many may be adamant on Chilwell.
I can predict that people may be doubtful on Chilwell’s ability to receive the ball under pressure in the midfield pivot.
I can predict that people may be doubtful on Chilwell’s ability to receive the ball under pressure in the midfield pivot.
Well, that should not be a worry, as Chilwell will most likely not receive the ball under tremendous pressure when he drops into the midfield pivot.
This is as, due to the overload on the wing, the area where Chilwell is located at, may most likely be free of any markers.
This is as, due to the overload on the wing, the area where Chilwell is located at, may most likely be free of any markers.
Finally, it must be noted that, in defense, we will revert back to our default 3-4-3 and eventually to our flat back 5 if needed.
However, this will require tremendous work rate by Mount to be basically a box to box midfielder. (Which I believe, he is very capable of).
However, this will require tremendous work rate by Mount to be basically a box to box midfielder. (Which I believe, he is very capable of).
Of course, this whole thread is just an idea for a contingency plan in the scenario that we are forced to play Mount in our midfield pivot due to injuries to any of our CDMs.
I firmly believe that our current pure no.6s (Kante, Kova & Jorgi) have all done fantastic since Tuchel’s arrival, and they should always be our go to first choice for double 6s, for the rest of our season.
Let me know what you all think of this idea, to get the best out of Mount as a part of our midfield pivot.
This 3-3-1-3/3-3-3-1 has been popularly used by both Pep at Bayern and Bielsa at Leeds (tho, both mangers had different philosophies/approaches)
This 3-3-1-3/3-3-3-1 has been popularly used by both Pep at Bayern and Bielsa at Leeds (tho, both mangers had different philosophies/approaches)
Once again, thank you all for reading another one of my threads, I appreciate the continued support 
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