I would say Cesc Fàbregas’ approach to building up is both risky and pragmatic, and that combination makes it super interesting, with the two strikers playing as 10s.

He opens the video with the line “my obsession is to play forward, as a midfielder, this is what I’ve always loved, because I like to attack and I like to have the ball in the final third, which is where you win games.” That’s beautiful and you can tell he has been heavily influenced by Arsène Wenger. He describes Arsène’s similar philosophy in the first masterclass video when Cesc explains what his role was in past Arsenal squads.

I like the idea of using the two strikers as 10s, having them drop to force the center-backs to follow them into the half-space. That then leaves the space open for the wingers to attack centrally, behind the center-backs, but I can’t get past the feeling that it’s predictable.

It’s predictable because there’s not a ton of options for the full-backs and midfielders. The back-line and double pivot are smushed, close together. The space is tight. The safe outlet is the striker in the half-space. Tight triangles in your own end and then longer direct passes forward.

You can pressure and then expect the pass to the striker, or pressure and expect the long ball to the wingers. The wingers are a non-factor, short, because they are tight to the wing and need to stay forward to threaten that pass behind the center-backs.

The breathing space for the strikers, now 10s, in the half-space is created by the threat of the wingers in-behind the center-backs. Remove the threat of the wingers and the 10s have no breathing space.

All of that is what makes it risky for me. I like the reactiveness to wait for the opponent to move.

Fàbregas acknowledges the fact that this system requires time on the training ground. I don’t think it’s one where he could walk in day one and immediately get results.

It’s a pragmatic approach because he always has that overload at the back. If the opponent steps forward, he has the overload, if they step back, he still has an overload. The addition of the 10s, could be seen as a bit overkill, but it further adds to the overload.

There’s an overload, but limited space in the middle, and limited progressive passing options. It’s a system reliant on the movement and intelligence from the full-back to know when to make those third man runs.

This is an issue Brighton is currently facing. Pervis Estupinán’s runs at left-back create space for the forwards and subsequently the midfield. With him out injured, Karoru Mitoma isn’t as effective without those runs.

Regardless, Cesc Fàbregas is poised to become a top manager; he has fantastic ideas.