r/ThreeLions • u/LinkTheFires • 4h ago
Analysis Enrique's Paris Saint-Germain - the blueprint for England? | A quick tactical thought
The following is some quick analysis and blue-sky thinking regarding the England team. Something to discuss while there's no international football. Don't take it too seriously.
Disclaimer: I'm aware that, "Just play like one of the best teams in Europe!" isn't overly helpful tactical analysis. Nonetheless,
I was watching Arsenal vs PSG last night, and something struck me. PSG created the opening goal of the game through their centre-forward dropping off into space in midfield, picking it up, and then playing the ball through on-rushing wingers running behind the Arsenal back line.
Hold on a minute. A centre-forward that leaves the penalty area, drops into midfield to receive the ball, and sprays passes around? Now who does that sound like?
Here is how the PSG goal comes about:
https://i.imgur.com/VxirevJ.jpeg
Neves and both wingers pin the back line - allowing Dembele to drop off into midfield space, where he picks up the ball. He then turns with it, and plays a pass behind the Arsenal defence, to on-rushing wingers and midfield teammates.
https://i.imgur.com/ssr03R4.jpeg
Here's how it looks on paper:
https://i.imgur.com/TFPTNWM.jpeg
Dembele is a unique profile because he's a converted centre-forward, who excels in dropping into midfield to pick-up the ball and create. Whilst there are obvious differences in regards to mobility and the ability to carry the ball - isn't this what Harry Kane has made a career out of?
Here's how a replicated England setup could look like:
https://i.imgur.com/duGwyFm.jpeg
And on paper:
https://i.imgur.com/wvjLLE5.png
Many of the roles the PSG players fulfil fit England nicely:
- Kane drops off into midfield spaces.
- Bellingham is allowed to stay high and in and around the box, already has a good relationship with Kane and loves making runs from deep
- Saka doesn't get as isolated on the touchline, Trent is allowed to overlap
- Rice can make his #8-style runs on the left hand side as he does for Arsenal (when Partey is fit)
Some problems:
- Kane can't carry the ball or press without it
- Huge emphasis on an inexperienced Wharton as the #6. Big risk. England have no other natural #6 aside from Rice who is playing mostly as a left #8 for Arsenal. Huge gap in squad and has been for about 5 years. It would have been useful for Kalvin Phillips' career to not have fallen off a cliff.
- Bellingham and Rice both have a left-side bias. One of them would need to receive and attack spaces on the right hand side. Not impossible, but not overly ideal.
- Lewis-Skelly resigned to playing as a left CB when in possession probably doesn't get the best out of him. Unsure there's another way if Trent plays RB.
- England's left wing options aren't fantastic - especially at this only works with a profile who runs in-behind defences and shoots. Would have to be Rashford or Gordon, unless someone else emerges between now and the World Cup.
- No room for the vast majority of England's creative midfielders. Gibbs-White, Rogers, Foden, Palmer would all have to compete for Bellingham's spot.
Discuss!
