Build Your Own Team: Part III

By: Inara | August 20th, 2008

A new coach, several new players, new tactical systems…so I figured it was time for another team building exercise.

I can’t resist this picture. It’s Lyon to a T.

Between friendlies and the first few competitive games, we’ve gotten a vague idea about the kind of team Puel wants to form – tactically organized, defensively solid, players sticking to their roles (as opposed to last season, where players would be out of position all the time). However, that comes at a price – offensively, Lyon haven’t found what clicks for them yet.

One of the problems Puel faces is accommodating so many players. Lyon’s midfield depth is outrageous, and an added bonus is that several of them are versatile and can play in several different positions.

GK: Lloris, Vercoutre, Hartock
CB: Cris, Mensah, Boumsong, Bodmer, (Faure)
RB: Reveillere, Clerc, (Gassama, Beynie)
LB: Grosso, Reveillere, Kallstrom, (Gassama, Valdivia)
DM: Toulalan, Makoun, Santos, Kallstrom, Bodmer, (Mehamha, Beynie, Valdivia)
AM: Juninho, Ederson, Bodmer, Kallstrom, Pjanic, (Grenier)
RW: Govou, Keita, Ederson, Pjanic, Clerc
LW: Delgado, Mounier, Pjanic, Ederson, Benzema, Kallstrom, (Grenier)
ST: Benzema, Fred, Piquionne, Baros (Tafer, Grenier)

Italics indicate a player who can fill in if necessary, but it’s not his natural or preferred position. Parentheses () indicate a youth player who has impressed Puel but would only be called up to the bench if things are dire.

With this in mind, what starting lineup would you like to see Puel use this season? Since it’s obvious that Puel hasn’t decided on a system or a specific set of players, almost everything is fair game.

Here is what I think would be most effective: 4-2-3-1

Lloris
Reveillere – Cris – Mensah – Grosso
Toulalan – Makoun
Govou – Pjanic – Ederson
Benzema

I really like the Toulalan-Makoun pair, and I think with more games under his belt, Pjanic will also be a valuable member of the squad. I debated on Govou, but until Delgado or Keita can do better, he’s our best option. Putting Ederson on the left is probably a little bit weird, but he played there at Nice. He could also interchange with Pjanic if necessary.

I didn’t use Juninho (or Bodmer or Kallstrom). I suppose for the moment, Juninho would be in Pjanic’s place, but in the longterm, I don’t see Juninho maintaining a starting spot.

Some other possibilities:

4-3-3:

Lloris
Reveillere – Cris – Mensah – Grosso
Makoun – Toulalan – Juninho
Keita – Benzema – Govou

4-4-2:

Lloris
Reveillere – Cris – Mensah – Grosso
Govou – Makoun – Toulalan – Ederson
Benzema – Fred

4-3-1-2:

Lloris
Reveillere – Cris – Mensah – Grosso
Juninho – Toulalan – Kallstrom
Pjanic
Benzema – Fred

What about you guys? What would you like to see?