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Could the Coutinho signing be a change in formation for Barcelona?

By Chiranjib Ghosh

Ernesto Valverde from Spain of FC Barcelona during the FC Barcelona open doors training session at Mini Estadi in Barcelona on 05 of January, 2018. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Ernesto Valverde from Spain of FC Barcelona during the FC Barcelona open doors training session at Mini Estadi in Barcelona on 05 of January, 2018. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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Is the 4-3-3 a thing of the past?

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 30: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on December 30, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 30: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on December 30, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) /

The signing of Philippe Coutinho means that the squad has 6 forwards, 4 of whom deserve to be in the first-team. And these stars cannot be limited to the bench. But the 4-3-3 does not allow for four attacking players.

What does accommodate four attackers is the traditional 4-2-3-1 formation. The formation popularised by José Mourinho has grown to become the trademark Premier League formation. It crept into the La Liga too, with the Madrid clubs adopting this formation.

Barcelona were the ones of the Big Three, who still retained their tradition, with the 4-3-3. But it may be time to switch to the epitome of modern football. And it is the perfect time, too. Neither 4-3-3 nor 4-4-2 can please the players, but 4-2-3-1 can.

The lineup would look like this :

Goalkeeper : Marc-André ter Stegen

Right-back : Nélson Semedo

Centre-back(right) : Gerard Piqué

Centre-back(left) : Samuel Umtiti

Left-back : Jordi Alba

Defensive midfielder : Sergio Busquets

Playmaker : Andrés Iniesta(captain)

Left winger : Philippe Coutinho

Shadow striker : Lionel Messi(vice-captain)

Right winger : Ousmane Dembélé

Centre forward : Luis Suárez

Ter Stegen would retain his role as a sweeper keeper, with Gerard Piqué getting more freedom and Samuel Umtiti dropping a bit further down the pitch. Nélson Semedo and Jordi Alba would need to combine with the wingers, and overlap frequently.

Sergio Busquets would be the glue of the team, holding its shape with Andrés Iniesta acting as the main distributor of the ball, and the main assist man. Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembélé would need to make darting runs by cutting in and showcasing their dribbling skills.

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But the players who would need to adapt would be Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. ‘El Pistolero’ would need to return to his Liverpool shape, and strike an understanding with old teammate Philippe Coutinho.

Messi would need to be the centre of attack, with everything near the opposition box running through. If a long shot had to be taken, he would be the one and if the wingers needed to have the ball, he would thread it to them.

The Argentine maestro’s goals would dry up, but his contribution to attack would be so much more. But there would be many players who would not benefit from the switch to the 4-2-3-1. Talented players like Ivan Rakitić and Sergi Roberto would miss out on a spot in the starting lineup.

Next: Official : Philippe Coutinho joins Barça

But every revolution has casualties, and players like Rakitić and Rafinha need to be sacrificed if the 4-2-3-1 is to be a success. If Ernesto Valverde can slowly integrate his style into the 4-2-3-1, he can lead the side to greater heights.