'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
As we reach the end of the season, we look at the tactical tweaks that could work wonders for each of the top six.
This season the Premier League has gotten closer like none other before. At the top, Liverpool and Manchester City fight it out for the title. On one hand, this title is about defence for Pep, on the other, it is about redemption and the journey for Liverpool.
Just below, we have four teams separated by the thinnest of margins and it could go anyway with all four teams having ample chances of fighting for the 3rd and 4th position.
Liverpool: Creative Midfield
Liverpool has been on absolute fire this season, wreaking havoc throughout England as well as Europe. The Liverpool back line has been fantastic, spearheaded by van Dijk, and has contributed immensely in offence as well with the two fullbacks, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson assisting everywhere. The front three has been causing all sorts of problems for the opposition despite the recent slump in form of Salah.
Where Liverpool are missing though is the midfield. A midfield of Henderson, Milner, Keita or Fabinho seems full of steel and defensive solidarity but there is a lack of creativity.
Liverpool need to deploy a midfielder in a more advanced role, almost like a No.10, so that the midfielder could run between the lines and create chances for their forwards. Someone who can dribble through defences and weave chances would prove to be the final piece of jigsaw and provide the flair and edge that Liverpool have often lacked this season against teams like Everton. Someone like a Lallana, Shaqiri or even Sturridge or Divock Origi could work as a No.10 which would result in the Liverpool formation looking like a 4-2-3-1.
Manchester City: Two Strikers Up Front
Manchester City are the playing the most fearless football the Premier League has ever seen. Even a look at their bench has scared the wits out of teams.
Man City has been playing with a 4-3-3 all season with a striker, usually Aguero, being flanked by two wingers. But at times this season, the Man City defense has conceded soft goals against teams like Watford, Arsenal, Newcastle.
City could opt for a change in formation, where they can end up crowding the midfield thereby freeing there strikers up front to deposit the ball into the back of the net. A formation change to a 3-5-2 against teams which man-mark and press could work wonders. Aguero followed by Sterling, almost as a no.10, the way Conte used Hazard last season, could make things very interesting as it would Sterling more freedom centrally. The 3 midfielders flanked by the two wingbacks in the form of Walker, Zinchenko would make City even more dangerous.
Arsenal: Pressing Low
Arsenal this season have undergone a revolution with the arrival of Unai Emery. The Spaniard has brought a new fresh approach at Arsenal. He loves his team playing out from the back and pressing to obtain the ball back.
In theory, his approach is fantastic as the recent results show but on closer analysis, one realises that the Arsenal defence remains very shaky and it can be dangerous to press as the opposition could counter and it could leave the back line in shambles.
Pressing low could be an approach that could work for the Gunners as it would lead to the baiting the opposition forwards into the tight spaces. Then a good long ball would be all this is needed to launch the likes of Aubameyang or Lacazette. Doing this would mean, that they play a low line and involve the keeper to keep possession and create spaces for the forwards.
Tottenham Hotspurs: Moving Son to Stiker
Son has been a vital cog in the well-oiled Spurs team that Poch has developed over the years. It remains to be seen however, in which position and system, he can give his best.
Son has been deployed in a plethora of positions throughout this season ranging from the Wings to Central Midfield. His strengths however lie in functioning in the hole just behind Harry Kane and creating chances ahead.
A change in position for Son can help the Spurs team adjust the balance and help bring the best out of Son. He works best in using pace and dribbling to take on defenders and this ability will in turn be vital to free up Harry Kane who can look to run off the defenders' shoulders and find the final ball from Son.
Chelsea: David Luiz the Midfielder
Chelsea have played possession based football this season but have failed to break down defences, or parked buses. Chelsea's midfield has been lacking a spark or a hint of creativity to feed their forwards.
Jorginho has faced a lot of criticism regarding his poor defensive abilities and his monotonous passing. It is true that for Sarri's 4-3-3 to work, the Regista or the deepest midfielder needs to effectively recycle possession and provide incisive passes. Jorginho has often lacked in this part. Moreover, he is defensively and physically very weak, hence exposing the Chelsea back line on numerous occasions.
David Luiz is a ball playing defender. He possess diagonal long balls that can split even the best of defences. He was in fact the creator-in-chief for Chelsea against Man City last year. He can easily be moved into the regista role as he isn't afraid to dribble out of tight situations and can add the flair missing in the Chelsea midfield.
Manchester United: Formation Change
Manchester United have become a rejuvenated side under Ole. They seem determined and motivated under the new manager. However, off late, they have seen a slump in form that could push them towards the second tier of European football.
They should be looking at a change in formation towards a 4-3-3. United have a lot of attacking talent that can be fitted well inside this formation and could play to their strengths.
A 4-3-3 could have the normal back line of Lindelof,Smalling flanked by fullbacks Shaw and Dalot. The midfield can consist of Fred, McTomminay or Matic as the holding midfielder along with Pogba in the box-to-box role, with Lindgard playing the most advanced position. Lukaku will start as the target man up front flanked by Rashford and Martial. This formation would allow United to field their most important creative talents and give them freedom to express themselves.
