Mata in the midfield?

[BrewCrew]

Once Lampard was subbed today, (finally) did Mata move back into the midfield? I really like what AVB did there. He played with three forwards in Anelka, Torres, Lukaku, and had Mata play right behind them. It seemed like he wasn't playing out wide and was more central. It seems like something that would work with a starting line up of Anelka, Torres, and Sturridge. Then have Mata play behind them, roaming, and distributing the ball. You still have Ramires, Raul, Mikel, etc to play the two other midfield spots.

....................Cech.........................

Ivan.....Luiz..........Terry..........Cole

..........................Mikel.........................

............Ramires..................................

................................Mata.......................

...Sturridge................................Anelka

..........................Torres........................

[nonotnowjim]

We bought mata because we need width. We have multiple other choices for players who can play the deeper attacking mid role through the middle (lamps, flo, nico, merieles) but very few who can do a decent job out wide.

For that reasons alone i would always prefer to see mata on the wing (but with license to roam)

[Mike 93]

The thing is mate, mata isn't a winger he's a classic number 10. So brewcrew formation for him is where he actually plays but offers support for the left wing. Often he's even over the right wing. He is too smart (if you can be) to just be a winger, his game depends on him finding holes and exploiting them. I would like us to get a out and out winger. Imo mata is a younger version of silva, maybe a bit more direct than silva. When silva is played as a winger having to hug the touchline etc he is not as affective as when he has almost free role to drift between the line and create.

[barak81]

I think he looks a bit more like pires to be honest, Looks a winger to me that can pop up in the middle and he has provided us with width so far. In the absence of any one else i'm keen on him staying out there.

[evissy]

Good thing is we can play him in both spots. He is very good in both places but creates more havoc on the wing IMO. Great buy. Can't even think about what happens to our game if he gets injured.

[TomP]

I say that we should play him wherever he is going to get space.

Against some teams this will be on the wing - especially lower teams who flood the middle of the park to try to stop us playing.

Against the bigger teams, he might get more space playing in the centre of the park in the hole between the midfield and the strikers.

Either way, if we can get Mata on the ball with space and time to pick out a pass or go past a defender, he is going to create a lot of goals wherever he plays.

[PloKoon13]

I reckon he could work in the hole of a 4-2-3-1 with two midfielders coveiring him and two players wide.

----------------------Cech

Bosingwa-----Luiz-------Terry-----Cole

--------------Ramires----Mikel

----Sturridge------Mata-------Malouda

---------------------Torres

[Spiller86]

I think he looks a bit more like pires to be honest, Looks a winger to me that can pop up in the middle and he has provided us with width so far. In the absence of any one else i'm keen on him staying out there.

Very perceptive barak once again. Pires I think is the most obvious comparison that can be made.

I say that we should play him wherever he is going to get space.

Against some teams this will be on the wing - especially lower teams who flood the middle of the park to try to stop us playing.

Against the bigger teams, he might get more space playing in the centre of the park in the hole between the midfield and the strikers.

Either way, if we can get Mata on the ball with space and time to pick out a pass or go past a defender, he is going to create a lot of goals wherever he plays.

Personally I think his success in the hole had a bit more to do with United playing a 4-4-2 and him having no obvious marker. I don't for example think it would be as successful against Arsenal or Liverpool who would have Song and Lucas sitting in watching him.

We saw on Sunday that it can certainly work having him in the hole, but as you say it's got to be a flexible approach to place him where he can best succeed in a particular match.

[SirWadzman]

What about a classic Carlo diamond formation with Mata in the hole behind Drogba and Torres?? Could work...

[BenR55]

Cech

Bosingwa Ivanovic Terry Cole

Mikel

Essien Ramires

Mata Sturridge

Torres

Essien and Ramires both best playing box to box, Bosingwa would give the width to release Mata from the flank and allow him to roam. Certainly would be able to play counter attacking football which Porto played last season with a bit more class and overall quality.

[Lane]

id rather have meireles start instead of essien, but that just me . . .

[rahul]

What about a classic Carlo diamond formation with Mata in the hole behind Drogba and Torres?? Could work...

Drogba and Torres cant play together....with Mata or Zidane or Jesus behind them.

Edited September 21, 2011 by rahul

[SydneyChelsea]

Drogba and Torres cant play together....with Mata or Zidane or Jesus behind them.

Sorry, I don't buy it at all. Either of one of them put away their chances against Norwich (assisted by the other) and people on here would be creaming themselves over their potential partnership.

Drogba would have to be pushed wide, but he's perfectly capable of operating out there or deeper, behind Torres. I'd like to try it again when at least one of them is in some decent form.

[rahul]

Sorry, I don't buy it at all. Either of one of them put away their chances against Norwich (assisted by the other) and people on here would be creaming themselves over their potential partnership.

Drogba would have to be pushed wide, but he's perfectly capable of operating out there or deeper, behind Torres. I'd like to try it again when at least one of them is in some decent form.

Both like to be the focal point of attack, both make similar runs, the only difference is Drogba is capable of playing with his back to the opposition goal while Torres can play running towards it. In a partnership to flourish, one has to take a withdrawn role - dropping deep, going out wide (as you said), which I cant see Drogba doing on a regular basis. He would like to get at the end of chances, so would Torres, therefore coming in each other's way.

Of course its possible, anything is, but the effort involved would be huge on the manager's part and I dont think AVB has the time to take such chances.

[sizzler85]

Sorry, I don't buy it at all. Either of one of them put away their chances against Norwich (assisted by the other) and people on here would be creaming themselves over their potential partnership.

Drogba would have to be pushed wide, but he's perfectly capable of operating out there or deeper, behind Torres. I'd like to try it again when at least one of them is in some decent form.

I agree to this . Why can't 2 top class players link up together ? I always believed Drog can set up goals for torres by playing alongside him or behind him . Drog if he can play behind Torres will draw the CBs forward and that can be very useful for torres . We can't keep rotating these 2 players and there will always be a problem of "Who plays in the big game" ?

And Lukaku can't be 3rd choice for long . We will have to find a way to make this combo click .