Why don’t more Premier League teams adopt this system?

With the evolving role of the modern full-back, options regarding formational changes have increased for managers, who can now use the greater versatility of their players to switch systems. The 4-4-2 set-up is slowly being phased out in favour of 4-5-1 or 4-3-3, as teams look for greater solidarity and a counter-attacking threat. These two options have been relatively successful when used in the Premier League, but is there another choice for coaches?

Italian outfit Napoli have been a breath of fresh air this season, employing a three-man defence with two dynamic wing-backs. This system allows for great levels of defensive solidarity, whilst offering a counter-attacking threat, with Christian Maggio and, one time Liverpool left-back, Andrea Dossena able in both roles. The tactic gives Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik the freedom to tuck further in field during attacks, supporting Edinson Cavani, in his role as centre-forward, thus eliminating the possibility of the Uruguayan becoming isolated. Although the system is far from being new, its minimal use outside of Italy causes somewhat of a surprise to opposing managers, which has contributed heavily to Napoli’s success in the season’s Champions League.

With the formation working to great effect, as proved by the southern Italian team’s qualification from the group of death (Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Villarreal) before elimination, after extra time, to the experienced Chelsea, why has it not been adopted to a greater extent in Britain?

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Many Premier League sides now possess modern, forward thinking full-backs, who are, in some cases, more able going forward than in defensive positions. A three-man defence would allow these players to cast off their defensive shackles a little more, providing the width for their team when going forward, in the knowledge that the three centre-backs are capable of keeping it tight at the back. Liverpool proved this system can work well last term, during their 1-0 victory over Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge. The Reds employed Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson in wing-back positions, with clear instructions to drop deep, forming a five-man backline during periods without possession, and push forward to provide width when the side were on the attack. The three centre-backs dealt with the attacking threat of Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba with relative ease, allowing Kelly and Johnson greater levels of freedom when attacking.

Liverpool had the men at their disposal for such a formation, with both full-backs possessing an attacking threat, and three able central defenders in Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher. In truth there are plenty of teams who are able to employ such a system in the Premiership, with one of the best examples being Tottenham. Kyle Walker epitomises the role of the modern full-back, with bags of energy, pace and ability in the attacking third, at the expense of defensive ability, making a role as wing-back, perhaps, more suitable. Both Benoit Assou-Ekotto and, converted full-back, Gareth Bale would suit the same position on the left hand side, with the likes of William Gallas, Younes Kaboul and Michael Dawson providing a suitable three-man set-up at the heart of the defence. A pessimist may see this formation as a defensive one, but against ‘lesser’ teams who are likely to sit back, the extra man in the final third, afforded by the axing of a fourth defender, would allow for greater levels of pressure in the attack. Other clubs such as Chelsea, who typically play fairly narrow, could also benefit from the set-up with the wing-backs providing the wide attacking threat.

Although the three-man defence is typically associated with pragmatic, Italian football, the system could easily be adopted to a successful level by a number of Premier League sides. Liverpool proved just how defensively effective it can be last term, while Napoli have shown that attacking flair does not have to be sacrificed to employ the formation. As managers constantly search for the tactical edge over their opponent, maybe this set-up can be the future.

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