With Gustaf Lagerbielke in the door and the manager said to be in the hunt for another left-back or wing-back, it begs the question: will Brendan Rodgers go 3-5-2 in Europe this year? It’s a system that Martin O’Neill benefited greatly from back in the day, with Didier Agathe’s blistering pace and Alan Thompson’s sensational crossing ability coming to the fore during that period.
With a defensive three of Mjallby, Balde and Valgaeren inside of those two, Celtic thrived as we utilised that formation to really make our mark at times. Though not always used, the 3-5-2 did offer us some solidity at times and also gave our two strikers plenty of ammunition from the wings as I have mentioned. It’s intriguing to see if Rodgers will have something similar in mind when it comes to the UEFA Champions League group stages in a few weeks time.
As it stands now, we have six centre-backs at the club; Carter-Vickers, Nawrocki, Welsh, Lagerbielke, Scales and Kobayashi. It does seem obvious that Rodgers doesn’t fancy Yuki Kobayashi and that his Celtic days may indeed be numbered. However, one wonders what he’s thinking about when it comes to Liam Scales. Does he rate him? Or was he just keeping him around for cover until Lagerbielke got over the line with his deal?
Regardless, it’s widely known know that the Irishman is looking at the left-hand side of our defence. I don’t think he’s entirely sold on either Alexandro Bernabei or Greg Taylor if I were to put money on it. I reckon he’s looking for a profile more akin to Alistair Johnston on the right who is currently out injured still and is a significant miss to the team, no question about it.
Is Rodgers contemplating a change to 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 this coming season in European competition? That three man defence at the back that can quickly turn to a five, with three central midfield players, and the wing-backs either side to give you width still in the team, could possibly be a consideration for a man who had to watch from the sidelines as PSG and Barcelona savaged his team during that first spell in charge of the club.
Are we going to see something completely different this time around?
I wonder…
Paul Gillespie
I think that the 3CB option could well be upon the cards Paul.
Remember AJ could become another option within a 3 also.
So could it be iwata and Ralston become wing backs?
Also wouldn’t have any issue with hatate or even hako or Forrest used in such a role either.
Of course the 5 away from home within CL could well be more favourable.
Will be interesting to see what Rodgers plans are, but do still have concerns with the use of the football with our current full backs, especially with better opposition in mind