We wonder if next season will see any Premier League sides emulate Spain’s 4-6-0 formation? Manchester City might just be the only ones able to pull it off…
Some have described it as a revolution, others brave, some arrogant, many even boring, but you cannot argue that Spain’s Euro 2012 side are up there with the most dominating of all time.
Why were they so successful? The opposition were simply not allowed the ball, and when Spain had it, their quick passing was devastatingly effective.
They saved their best until last, their 4-0 demolition of Italy in the final, a truly extraordinary performance.
To line up in a 4-6-0 formation, you have to have a special side, and Spain do. When Craig Levein laid Scotland out in a 4-6-0 two years ago he was pilloried for his strikerless formation, with the Scots falling 1-0 to the Czech Republic.
Barcelona tried it last season, unlike most, they have the personnel to pull it off. It will be fascinating to see if any Premier League sides attempt to do so next season.
Perhaps the best suited to experiment, would be Manchester City. It would never become a permanent solution, thanks to their array of expensive strikers, but playing devil’s advocate, they have the players to suit.
With Samir Nasri, David Silva and Adam Johnson as attacking midfielders, not to mention Yaya Toure, they could cause devastation with their movement and ability, with Gareth Barry and James Milner sitting behind.
Silva was a component of Spain’s success, scoring the opener in the final against Italy, and has the intelligence to suit such a system, and both Nasri and Toure too – an ex-Barcelona player, would cause problems for the opposition by marauding across the pitch. Toure even has the physical attributes and the technique to play as a striker.
Roberto Mancini may be considered brave or foolish to leave out Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli, Carlos Tevez, and Edin Dzeko, especially considering the goal haul of the quartet last season.
But we won’t be surprised if the manager attempts it as an experiment, whether it be in a League Cup, FA Cup or pre-season friendly.
If any Premier League club has the personnel to pull it off and emulate Spain, it is Manchester City, and whatever the Premier League purists who praise Stoke City’s approach might think, it would be fascinating to see.
Would you like to see your club dare to play without a striker?
image: © letsbikeit
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
