If you play Mata as the AM in a 4-3-3 then its exactly the same as a 4-2-3-1. Put it this way. If i was to say lets play 4-2-3-1 with this: Oscar Ramires KDB Mata Hazard Whoever Then i would get laughed off from people saying, that we have no defence, and would get raped on the counter. So what difference is it if you play: Oscar Ramires Mata KDB Whoever Hazard None, as mata would play the exact same role currently as those formations are pretty much the same thing. Whatever formation we play, we will need a defensive minded midfielder in there.