As you would expect it is a 5 strong midfield with 2 defensive midfielders;
Dembele Paulinho
Townsend Eriksen Lamela
The reasons that they have been choosen are also based on stats not just a preference. I would prefer to look at it in more detail.
Dembele has been a power in midfield. Tough to push off the ball and great to link up the team. Great range of passing and enough pace to get him from box to box. He currently ranks fifth in the premier league for total take-ons and has staggering pass accuracy (above 90%). If you want someone to take the ball foward it would be this guy. He commits as many fouls as he suffers.
Paulinho is not as strong in the tackle as Dembele with a 73% success rate compared to Dembele's 88%, however as more of a converted DM he is still doing well moving forward and creating chances (14 goal scoring chances in total). He has an engine that doesn't quit and quite often we see Paulinho bursting into the box to score.
Although on current form I would expect for everyone to be more comfortable with Sandro dropping into the midfield with Paulinho.
Lamela is yet to make his mark by making a full debut in the Premier League, but it must be coming against one of the Manchester clubs! Personally as I keep saying Lamela would be on the right not left (opposing Squawka’s formation). Looking at the Sheriff game Erik pulled off 11 out of 16 take on's (as a team in total we only managed 19). To remind those of why he was bought from Roma Lamela had a conversion rate of 24% and with his blistering pace he has what it takes to glide past the defence. What is most important is that in the Sherrif game Erik spent most of the game where he should have been in the right wing position (we are desperate for that space to be occupied as Townsend continues to cut in).
Eriksen already ranks third in our team for creating goal scoring chances and this comes in just seven appearances. After some fantastic displays Eriksen has stuttered somewhat, but he has a range of passing to put any player to shame. To put it in perspective Dembele has made 14 goal-scoring chances where as Eriksen has made 15 (bearing in mind in less games too).
Townsend is leading the team in goal-scoring chances created, however he ranks first in the Premier league for take on's with a 66% success rate. Growing rapidly Townsend looks for his 3rd and 4th England cap. You would hope that the youngster will mature fast (knowing when to pass, shoot or dribble) and we would do best to move him out to the left wing (being naturally left footed this makes sense), before he becomes too comfortable on the right.
The five players make the team reasonably well balanced in midfield but others may still question its defensive capabilities. I feel that this would be our best starting midfield, but again with Dembele suffering from what I believe is fatigue I would be tempted to put Sandro in.
COYS!!!!
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