Typed out a long post only for it to not load FFS
Anyways, on paper a trio of Lallana, Fabinho and Naby compliment each other. Naby and Fab play behind the ball and Lallana pushes up between the opposition lines to offer an option in the attacking third. I think it's going to be the perfect combination for us to protect our defence and allow the front three to shine.
As in a 4-2-3-1 with Fabinho and Keita as the two and Lallana in between Salah and Mane in the 3? I'd definitely see that as our tweaked alternative formation more often than us going to a back three.
But I reckon we'll predominantly continue with our 4-3-3, which Man City will likely continue using to. Fabinho could do the Fernandinho role, Keita the De Bruyne, and Lallana the David Silva (although I suspect Ox to be there when fit, despite being more explosive rather than flair).
I'd expect Hendo to be the main rotation for both Fabinho and Keita, with obviously Gini and Milner adding to that.
Still, we've got some interesting competition for places coming up, especially if we bring in Fekir or another classy #10.
Logged