Interesting read. For me the comparison here that draws interest is between Stones and Cancelo. In Pep's 3-2-2-3 system from 20/21 (structurally similar to the shift with Stones in midfield), the different roles of the 9 and Ws are immediately obvious. What would interest me, if you had any insight, is just how differently the two interpreted the role. Obviously Cancelo's press resistance and creativity contributes to that more 'hyper-specialised possession profile' but I wonder (with a view to this season) if Cancelo could have played in that role and if all the changes that cascaded from Haaland's presence mean he can no longer be the finalizer he was in years gone by (à la Jesus backpost cross or left sided overload breakthroughs v back 5s like in 21/22)
Thanks for the comment. It is an interesting question. I think Cancelo's primary issue would be risk proclivity. Having a more untameable playstyle not suited high ball retention would create issues. More recycling/retention is required when playing with Haaland contrasted to a false 9 because he occupies slot for players who are tempo changers rather than tempo setters - reference to this article here https://ricmarchioli.wordpress.com/2023/08/13/time/ - for me KDB and Cancelo were the tempo changers at City. Now it is KDB and Haaland. And with the way Pep likes to play I struggle to see him allowing too many players who deviate from script.
Interesting read. For me the comparison here that draws interest is between Stones and Cancelo. In Pep's 3-2-2-3 system from 20/21 (structurally similar to the shift with Stones in midfield), the different roles of the 9 and Ws are immediately obvious. What would interest me, if you had any insight, is just how differently the two interpreted the role. Obviously Cancelo's press resistance and creativity contributes to that more 'hyper-specialised possession profile' but I wonder (with a view to this season) if Cancelo could have played in that role and if all the changes that cascaded from Haaland's presence mean he can no longer be the finalizer he was in years gone by (à la Jesus backpost cross or left sided overload breakthroughs v back 5s like in 21/22)
Thanks for the comment. It is an interesting question. I think Cancelo's primary issue would be risk proclivity. Having a more untameable playstyle not suited high ball retention would create issues. More recycling/retention is required when playing with Haaland contrasted to a false 9 because he occupies slot for players who are tempo changers rather than tempo setters - reference to this article here https://ricmarchioli.wordpress.com/2023/08/13/time/ - for me KDB and Cancelo were the tempo changers at City. Now it is KDB and Haaland. And with the way Pep likes to play I struggle to see him allowing too many players who deviate from script.