GM football fans. Route One here, the football newsletter that always has a spare umbrella ready for you when it’s raining.

Today’s briefing is a ~5 min read:

1. The evolution of football formations 📈

2. Around the world in 60 seconds: Italian legend announces retirement from football 🇮🇹

3. Fantasy Premier League - Gameweek 17 Transfer Tips 🎯

Morning Brief 🗞️

THE EVOLUTION OF FOOTBALL FORMATIONS 📈

As football evolves, so do team formations.

But just how much have formations evolved? Apparently, quite a bit.

Let’s dive in…

1800s: 1–1–8 and 1–2–7 and 2–2–6

It’s said that modern football has lost the art of defending but maybe it has gone full circle. 

Why? Because formations in the 1800s only had one defender… two if you needed a clean sheet.

Believe it or not but… 1-1-8, 1-2-7 or 2-2-6 were the popular formations of the day.

Attacking players would take the ball and dribble as far as possible before attempting a pass or shot.

In the first-ever international game in 1872, Scotland vs England, the Scots surprised the English by passing the ball.

Ironically, despite the combined 15 strikers on the pitch, the game finished 0-0.

1880s: 2-3-5 - The Pyramid

The Pyramid Formation (2-3-5) originated in Wales before spreading to the rest of the world.

The Pyramid became the standard formation until the 1930s.

Attacking was still the modus operandi. 

Halfbacks were the modern-day defensive midfielders.

And the fullbacks would only engage if the halfbacks were passed.

With the slight change in formation, the importance of teamwork was beginning to take shape.

1930s: 2-3-2-3 and 3-2-2-3 

The Metodo (2-3-2-3) was a transition to more defenders.

And who else but an Italian coach to pioneer a move to a more defensive structure?

The Italian coach, Vittorio Pozzo, won two World Cups with Italy using his midfield-focused formation.

Following a change to the offside rule, teams went on to adopt a defensive version of The Metodo (known as the MW because of the shape it creates) which included three fullbacks instead of two.

Look familiar? 

Well, some experts say Pep Guardiola’s teams play the WM when in attack.

1950s: 4-2-4

It was only a matter of time until the Brazilians laid their stamp on the game.

Flavio Costa, the Brazil national coach of the early 1950s developed with this one. He wanted six attackers and six defenders at all times in the game.

This was the first time each position was required to attack and defend.

Defending was now beginning to be recognised as an important part of the game for all players in the starting XI.

After the Brazilian national team won two World Cups using 4-2-4, it spread across the world and became the go-to formation.

1980s: Contemporary Formations

With a greater focus on the player’s fitness, formation and tactics adapted in line with this.

Players were to attack and defend, no matter what position they played

So… the importance of midfielders grew.

That’s when 4-4-2 took centre stage… then adapted into 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1.

So… what’s next?

In years to come, players will likely be expected to perform more roles, regardless of their position.

• Full-backs are expected to be more attacking

• Centre-backs should be good on the ball

• Strikers are required to do more than just score

• Wingers are required to score, assist and defend

Sir Alex Ferguson thought teams would play with six midfielders.

Pep Guardiola now plays with a variation of the 1800s 3-2-3-2-1 formation, including up to seven midfielders in his starting 11.

What next? Eight midfielders who can do it all? Or 11 players who can do it all with no set position whatsoever?

Well, we don’t know but we are looking forward to finding out. 

AROUND THE WORLD IN 60 SECONDS 🌍

🇮🇹 Giorgio Chiellini has announced his retirement, describing his career as “the most beautiful and intense journey of my life”. The centre-back helped Juventus to nine consecutive Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia five times.

🇸🇦 Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will have one last rodeo. The pair will face each other when Inter Miami take on Al-Nassr in a pre-game friendly in Saudi Arabia in February.

🇹🇷 MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca ran onto the pitch and punched the referee Umut Meler after his team conceded a 97th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw. The president has been arrested.

🇳🇬 Victor Osimhen has been named the African men’s footballer of the year while his compatriot Asisat Oshoala claimed the top prize in the women’s category.

🇪🇸 Girona beat Barcelona 4-2 to overtake Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table. They now sit two points above Real and seven above Barcelona. Girona is partly owned by Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi ownership.

FPL TRANSFER TIPS - GAMEWEEK 17 🎯 

Another day, another gameweek, Router.

We published the Gameweek 17 transfer tips in our blog which can be found here…

We’ll keep it short and sweet in today’s edition.

Haaland out long-term?

So, in case you didn’t know, Haaland’s dad sold him on FPL. So did his brother and girlfriend…

We can only assume that Haaland will miss out on Crystal Palace in gameweek 17. City then has a gameweek blank in 18.

So… maybe it’s time to get rid of the robot?

Hmm… but how do you get him back into the team?

Haaland is pricey. £14m pricey. 

So, when you take him out of your squad, there’s always a worry that it’ll be hard to bring him back in - unless you wildcard, of course. 

But, with the African Cup of Nations coming up, key players like Mohamed Salah (£13.2) won’t be available from GW21. 

Sounds like a perfect time to get rid of the Egyptian and bring back the Robot, eh?

Premium attacking options

• Ollie Watkins (£8.5m) is the best Haaland replacement. He has 8 goals and 9 assists. Villa face Brentford next who didn’t look strong in their last fixture without Bryan Mbeumo.

• Dominic Solanke (£6.6m) is the next best option. He has the second-highest xG since GW12 + Bournemouth can’t stop scoring.

• Julian Alvarez (£6.9m) is a good option as he may play a more forward role for City. But that GW18 blank will put some managers off.

Other options (and Richarlison)

• Richarlison’s (£6.6m) brace against Newcastle, some managers will be tempted to bring the Brazilian in as a MID. But, it’s too early to tell if he will play an important role once Son is out for the Asia Cup (12 Jan - 10 Feb).

• Darwin Nunez (£7.6m) is interesting. With Salah’s departure for AFCON imminent (from GW21), Nunez could get more minutes. It’s a risky option but one that could pay off big.

• Raul Jiménez (£5.3m) is the cheapest option. He’s got three goals in two games and Fulham have the highest xG since GW13. With his 2.1% ownership, only transfer him in if you’re chasing points.

Good luck, Router!

Keep us posted on how your gameweek goes. We’ll lend a shoulder for you to cry on - hopefully, that’s not needed…

EXTRA-TIME ⏱️

They say you never lose it… and Romario is proving that is true. At 57 he is still the best five-a-side player we have seen.

Nothing beats a passing compilation, especially one that features Liverpool’s Thiago… enjoy.

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 famously gave Adriano 99 shot power… It turns out that was too low. 🤣

Transfer alert: Ivan Toney signed for Newcastle… eight years ago. Who knew this one happened? The Brentford star man only made two appearances before signing for Peterborough United in 2018.

Remember when Mesut Ozil was considered the best number 10 in the world? Well here is an example of why, just in case you forgot.

MEME 😆