this post was submitted on 26 Nov 2023
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[–] Modnal@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, if this keeps up it's gonna become really important to have a versatile squad and bench. Having players who can only play one position is gonna be a luxury

[–] kondiar0nk@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Pep was way ahead of the curve on this one.

[–] MrStigglesworth@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Didn't help Wenger that much tbh, we were always crippled by injuries come Feb

[–] kondiar0nk@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Mostly because refs back then were totally cool with allowing teams to just kick them off the park

[–] ewankenobi@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Claudio Ranieri was first manager I remember who really started rotating players in the Premiership. The British press nicknamed him the tinkerman because of it

[–] AnnieIWillKnow@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Emma Hayes has been building her Chelsea Women squad in this mould for years too. So many versatile players. Genuinely at least half of the squad can play at least three different positions.

Erin Cuthbert is her dream. Has played wing back on both flanks, defensive midfield, box-to-box, attacking midfield, both wings.

A lot is made of CFCW's depth in terms of numbers, but it's the versatility that is key - and Hayes has built it that way.

[–] bremsspuren@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I remember pundits completely losing it back then lol

"It's disrespectful!" :D

Managers occasionally used to complain about CL clubs resting players and fielding weakened sides against their opposition.

The same managers then started resting their best players against Mourinho's Chelsea to preserve their strength for matches they had a chance of winning, and everyone just kind of accepted that rotation is what we do now.