Will we ever have a great striker partnership?

[capriccioso 2,545]

More precisely, the shift is from a 4-4-2 formation, to a 4-2-3-1 formation. This started en mass circa 2008. The Prem has ironically been late to adapt. In the last year or two, I'm noticing a shift from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 4-3-3 formation (thanks to Barca in particular). I predict that in 1 or 2 years max, 4-3-3 will be the preferred formation, as this is allows for more flexibility and players interchanging positions up front.

Interesting, but I thought that post 2008 4-1-4-1 and eventually 4-5-1 were in vogue as most teams from EURO 08 played 4-1-4-1.

[Strike 7,533]

we wont have a strike 'partnership'. whenever torres and drogba have played together, torres has been wide on the right. should stick them up centre together when we are chasing the game

[LDN Blue 7,903]

A striking partnership needn't be limited to forwards. Would you for instance not call Torres and Gerrard a striking partnership for Liverpool?

Indeed. We have Lampard-Drogba in the old regime.

In the new one we could have Mata & whoever our main striker is next season.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

4-4-2 was a typical english formation of 90s and early 00s. 4-3-3 was then introduced by Mourinho..not that other teams didnt use it before but when Mourinho's 4-3-3 broke records, 4-4-2 was forgotten and people adopted the single striker formation.

Hell Barcelona plays with no striker upfront. They are so fluid, even fabregas starts at the number 9 position.

4-2-3-1 is the way to go now...

If I am not mistaken Carlo tried to play the 2 strikers with the diamond formation.

With that type of formation you needed someone like Mata to play in the hole. He tried using Lampard and it was about useless.

[Strike 7,533]

If I am not mistaken Carlo tried to play the 2 strikers with the diamond formation.

With that type of formation you needed someone like Mata to play in the hole. He tried using Lampard and it was about useless.

Frank was incredible in Carlo's first season. 20 odd goals and set up Drogba often. It was in the second season that it all went downhill

[Superblue 6,372]

The game has evolved hugely over the last 5-6 years in regards to tactics and playing styles. 50 years ago teams played 5 forwards! We're in a different cycle now and that cycle is a preference for not playing 2 out and out strikers.

Formations over the last 20 years have been really rigid, whereas now it's all about having players playing in between the lines of defence/midfield/attack. Using Chelsea examples, players like a Makelele between the defence and midfield, and a Mata between the midfield and attack are generally considered some of the most important players in the team.

IMO next season we will play 2 in midfield and 3 attack minded players behind a lone front man.

[MagicManMata 24]

Interesting, but I thought that post 2008 4-1-4-1 and eventually 4-5-1 were in vogue as most teams from EURO 08 played 4-1-4-1.

I could be wrong, but Germany were one of the teams which helped get the new trend underway. They entered that tourney with a 4-4-2 formation which didn't quite work out for them. They then switched to the 4-2-3-1 in the KO stages and ended up overachieving, reaching 2nd place.

You're right, many teams did try out a 4-1-4-1 around that time. I tend to view that formation as a flashy alternative which never quite caught on.