Team B (Olly, Marky, Hero)

Using the 20 sides in the Premier i want you to make an 18 man squad using 1 player per team with a max of 2 people from the same nation in the 18. You will assigned Mauricio Pochettino to adapt a team around his play style.

Based on a 4-2-3-1;

GK
RB CB CB LB
DM CM
RW AM LW
ST

Subs: GK, CB, FB, CM, AM, Winger, ST

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My suggestion;

GK - Butland (Stoke/England)
RB - Coleman (Everton/Republic of Ireland)
CB - Alderweireld (Spurs/Belgium)
CB - Ake (Bournemouth/Holland)
LB - Bertrand (Southampton/England)
DM - Kante (Chelsea/France)
CM - Pogba (Man U/France)
AM - De Bruyne (Man City/Belgium)
RW - Mahrez (Leicester/Algeria)
LW - Salah (Liverpool/Egypt)
ST - Aubameyang (Arsenal/Gabon)

Subs:
GK - Karnezis (Watford/Greece)
CB - Duffy (Brighton/Republic of Ireland)
FB - Yedlin (Newcastle/USA)
DM/CM - Krychowiak (West Brom/Poland)
AM - Lanzini (West Ham/Argentina)
LW/RW - Zaha (Palace/Ivory Coast)
ST - Mounie (Huddersfield/Benin)

This is what I've got so far

I'd got so far...

CM - Mooy (Australia/Huddersfield)
CM - Kante (France/Chelsea)
AM - De Bruyne (Belgium/City)
RW - Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
LW - Sanchez (Chile/Utd)
ST - Kane (England/Spurs)

Updated mine

Whatever side I feel there's some good bench players from the less represented nations in Zaha (Ivory Coast), Mounie (Benin), Duffy (Ireland)

Aubameyang being Gabonese should put him ahead of Kane for this challenge IMO

My concern with Aubameyang is that he's not done it in the Premier League as yet.

He's obviously world class though and his pace would make him arguably a better fit.

Also I'd rather Aubameyang from Arsenal and a Spurs CB over Kane from Spurs and an Arsenal CB (for example)

Which would you prefer;

Kane + Mustafi, or Aubameyang + Alderweireld?

A team to suit Poch’s style has to have Harry Kane starting imo - my initial gut feeling without looking too much into this

Will have a proper think later

I'd certainly prefer Alderweireld to Mustafi but on the other side of the coin would you prefer your English player to be Kane or Bertrand?

The issue is that it's harder to find non English players from the smaller clubs and Kane takes up one of those two English slots.

Hero wrote:I'd certainly prefer Alderweireld to Mustafi but on the other side of the coin would you prefer your English player to be Kane or Bertrand?

If you can find a suitable non English LB from a smaller club then I'm all ears.

4-2-3-1

GK - De Gea (Utd/Spain)
RB - Coleman (Everton/Ireland)
CB - Koscielny (Arsenal/France)
CB - Tarkowski (Burnley/England)
LB - Pieters (Stoke/Holland)
CM - Romeu (Southampton/Spain)
CM - Krychowiak (West Brom/Poland)
RW - Salah (Liverpool/Egypt)
CAM - De Bruyne (City/Belgium)
LW - Hazard (Chelsea/Belgium)
ST - Kane (Spurs/England)

Subs

GK - Gomes (Watford/Brazil)
CB - Schindler (Huddersfield/Germany)
FB - Yedlin (Toon/USA)
CM - Arter (Bournemouth/Ireland)
AM - Lanzini (West Ham/Argentina)
LW/RW - Zaha (Palace/Ivory Coast)
ST - Okazaki (Leicester/Japan)

Thats my first stab at it - what do you guys think? My idea here was go for the best players at the top 6 clubs, and then find out the rest...an alternative method...

best 6 players at the top 6 clubs and you ended up with Koscielny? Jeez Arsenal are really in the Poopie.

Hero wrote:best 6 players at the top 6 clubs and you ended up with Koscielny? Jeez Arsenal are really in the Poopie.

Well none of their other good players like Ozil/Lacazette are getting in ahead of Kane/De Bruyne

De Gea was a shout.

I'd consider swapping De Bruyne and Koscielny for Otamendi/Laporte and Ozil. Stronger defence, marginal difference at AM. Even if we all prefer KDB, balance is important.

Yeah that’s not a bad idea tbf

De Gea has to be the GK/Utd player imo - easily best GK in the league for me

Shall we look at the 3-4-2-1 squad now?

GK
RCB
CB
LCB
RWB
LWB
CM
CM
RAM
LAM
ST

Subs:
GK
CB
RWB
LWB
CM
AM
ST

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Yeah that’s not a bad idea tbf

De Gea has to be the GK/Utd player imo - easily best GK in the league for me

Yeah but equally you could swap De Gea and Hazard for Courtois and Sanchez. Plenty of options.

More Defensive approach;

GK - De Gea (Utd/Spain)
RCB - Azpilicueta (Chelsea/Spain)
CB - Van Dijk (Liverpool/Holland)
LCB - Ake (Bournemouth/Holland)
RWB - Coleman (Everton/Ireland)
LWB - Bertrand (Southampton/England)
CM - Gundogan (City/Germany)
CM - Krychowiak (WBA/Poland)
RAM - Mahrez (Leicester/Algeria)
LAM - Ozil (Arsenal/Germany)
ST - Kane (Spurs/England)

Subs:
GK - Hennessey (Palace/Wales)
CB - Zouma (Stoke/France)
RWB - Yedlin (Newcastle/USA)
LWB - Brady (Burnley/Ireland)
CM - Mooy (Huddersfield/Australia)
AM - Richarlison (Watford/Brazil)
ST - Hernandez (West Ham/Mexico)

I might have a go at listing our best pool of players, as I feel too many squads of 18 could overcomplicate it.

Goalkeepers: Courtois (Chelsea/Belgium), De Gea (Man U/Spain), Ederson (City/Brazil), Lloris (Spurs/France), Pickford (Everton/England), Butland (Stoke/England), Schmeichel (Leicester/Denmark), Begovic (Bournemouth/Bosnia), Ryan (Brighton/Australia), Adrian (West Ham/Spain), Pope (Burnley/England), Fabianski (Swansea/Poland), Heaton (Burnley/England), Hennessey (Palace/Wales), Foster (West Brom/England), Karnezis (Watford/Greece)

Central defenders: Van Dijk (Liverpool/Holland), Bailly (Man U/Ivory Coast), Sanchez (Spurs/Colombia), Alderweireld (Spurs/Belgium), Otamendi (City/Argentina), Christensen (Chelsea/Denmark), Mustafi (Arsenal/Germany), Laporte (City/France or Spain), Mangala (Everton/France), Ake (Bournemouth/Holland), Sakho (Palace/France), Evans (West Brom/Northern Ireland), Maguire (Leicester/England), Wimmer (Stoke/Austria), Mawson (Swansea/England), Kongolo (Huddersfield/Holland), Duffy (Brighton/Ireland)

Fullbacks/wingbacks: Walker (City/England), Azpilicueta (Chelsea/Spain), Bellerin (Arsenal/Spain), Aurier (Spurs/Ivory Coast), Clyne (Liverpool/England), Danilo (City/Brazil), Coleman (Everton/Ireland), Valencia (Man U/Ecuador), Janmaat (Watford/Holland), Zabaleta (West Ham/Argentina), Yedlin (Newcastle/USA), Mendy (City/France), Alonso (Chelsea/Spain), Rose (Spurs/England), Kolasinac (Arsenal/Bosnia), Robertson (Liverpool/Scotland), Schlupp (Palace/Ghana), Van Aanholt (Palace/Holland), Gibbs (West Brom/England), Kenedy (Newcastle/Brazil), Masuaku (West Ham/Congo), Pieters (Stoke/Holland), Fuchs (Leicester/Austria), Daniels (Bournemouth/England)

Defensive/central midfielders: Kante (Chelsea/France), Matic (Man U/Serbia), Can (Liverpool/Germany), Wanyama (Spurs/Kenya), Krychowiak (West Brom/Poland), Fernandinho (City/Brazil), Lemina (Southampton/Gabon), Romeu (Southampton/Spain), Elneny (Arsenal/Egypt), Milivojevic (Palace/Serbia), Iborra (Leicester/Spain), Cork (Burnley/England), Capoue (Watford/France), Ki (Swansea/Korea), Chalobah (Watford/England), Pogba (Man U/France), Fabregas (Chelsea/Spain), Gundogan (City/Germany), Silva (Leicester/Portugal), Gueye (Everton/Senegal), Allen (Stoke/Wales), Ward-Prowse (Southampton/England), Davies (Everton/England), Propper (Brighton/Holland), Doucoure (Watford/France), Shelvey (Newcastle/England), Ndong (Watford/Gabon), Mooy (Huddersfield/Australia), Obiang (West Ham/Spain), Loftus-Cheek (Palace/England), Defour (Burnley/Belgium), Arter (Bournemouth/Ireland), Davis (Southampton/Northern Ireland), Diame (Newcastle/Senegal), King (Swansea/Wales)

Attacking midfielders/wingers: De Bruyne (City/Belgium), Eriksen (Spurs/Denmark), Ozil (Arsenal/Germany), Mkhitaryan (Arsenal/Armenia), Sigurdsson (Everton/Iceland), Lanzini (West Ham/Argentina), Boufal (Southampton/Morocco), Hazard (Chelsea/Belgium), Sane (City/Germany), Sanchez (Man U/Chile), Salah (Liverpool/Egypt), Richarlison (Watford/Brazil), Bolasie (Everton/Congo), A Ayew (Swansea/Ghana), Arnautovic (West Ham/Austria), Tadic (Southampton/Serbia), Chadli (West Brom/Belgium or Morocco), Jese (Stoke/Spain), Fraser (Bournemouth/Scotland), Sakho (Palace/Mali), Mahrez (Leicester/Algeria), Shaqiri (Stoke/Switzerland), Deulofeu (Watford/Spain), Burke (West Brom/Scotland), Knockaert (Brighton/France), Murphy (Newcastle/England), Narsingh (Swansea/Holland)

Strikers: Kane (Spurs/England), Aguero (City/Argentina), Aubameyang (Arsenal/Gabon), Rashford (Man U/England), Slimani (Newcastle/Algeria), Sturridge (West Brom/England), Vardy (Leicester/England), Okazaki (Leicester/Japan), Chicharito (West Ham/Mexico), Iheanacho (Leicester/Nigeria), Gabbiadini (Southampton/Italy), Rondon (West Brom/Venezuela), Bony (Swansea/Ivory Coast), Wood (Burnley/New Zealand), Mounie (Huddersfield/Benin), Locadia (Brighton/Holland), J Ayew (Swansea/Ghana), Okaka (Watford/Italy)

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I've left out those who are unreal but not necessarily the best in that position at their club, like David Silva, pointless discussing him because we'd pick De Bruyne in that role. And Dele Alli, because Eriksen is better. Mane and Firmino wouldn't be picked ahead of Salah for example.

I've also added as many different nationalities from the smaller clubs as I deem potentially good enough, as nationality will come into it.

Unless there are any glaring omissions, I think that's our pool. As we'll have to choose from each club basically, I might list them by club later on.

So going 4-2-3-1 as Olly seemed to hint at, we're kinda agreed on;


Subs: GK, CB, FB, CM, Lanzini (West Ham), Zaha (Palace), ST

I think based on what we've pulled together for 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-2-1 that the 4-2-3-1 is best to go with - also think this is the formation Spurs under Poch look best using

I assume we all agreed on De Bruyne at AM too?

De Gea (Man U)

Coleman (Everton) - Evans (WBA) - Sakho (Palace) - LB
Romeu (Saints) - Wilshere (Arsenal)
Salah (Liverpool) - De Bruyne (Citeh) - Hazard (Chelsea)
Kane (Spurs)

An idea?

I think with everything considered, this is our best possible XI (in my opinion)

Or Kane instead of Aubameyang and Mustafi or Koscielny instead of Alderweireld.

Olly, which one?

Kante and Sanchez or Matic and Hazard?

Marky wrote:I think with everything considered, this is our best possible XI (in my opinion)

Begovic (Bournemouth)
Coleman (Everton) - Toby A (Spurs) - Evans (WBA) - Fuchs (Leicester)
Kante (Chelsea) - Doucoure (Watford)
Salah (Liverpool) - De Bruyne (City) - Sanchez (Man U)
Aubameyang (Arsenal)

I think (and as team leader am making this decision) that Kane must be our CF - he's the best in the league, and has played under Poch at his best.

Now - we have an Arsenal midfielder to put in - Ramsey or Wilshere? As I think we can have either Sakho or Tarkowski at CB - who are as good as any Arsenal CB, but I can't see any CMs in the lower league teams who are as good as Ramsey/Wilshere. Unless you think keep Doucoure, and maybe put Monreal at LB?

I agree with the rest of the side - i think Kante/Sanchez > Matic/Hazard (As you do Marky)

I'd choose Tarkowski over Sakho

So it's looking like;

Subs from the following sides:
Brighton, Stoke, Palace, West Ham, Huddersfield, Swansea, Leicester/Burnley, Southampton, Newcastle

Also we can't do the top one as too many Frenchmen.

I'd suggest the following options for subs;

GK: Ryan (Brighton), Fabianski (Swansea)
CB: Wimmer (Stoke), Kongolo (Huddersfield), Ake (Bournemouth), Mawson (Swansea), Duffy (Brighton)
FB: Kenedy (Newcastle), Pieters (Stoke), Daniels (Bournemouth), Zabaleta (West Ham)
CM: Lemina (Southampton), Mooy (Huddersfield), Milivojevic (Palace), Defour (Burnley)
AM: Lanzini (West Ham), Tadic (Southampton)
Wing: Zaha (Palace), Arnautovic (West Ham)
ST: Chicharito (West Ham), Slimani (Newcastle)

I like Fabianski, Ake, Pieters, Lemina, Mooy, Zaha, Slimani as the subs

Darn, can't have Ake and Begovic together.

Wimmer, Zouma maybe (edit: too French) Although that would mean a different LB...

Wimmer is good, not quite good enough for Spurs but definitely better than Stoke. Kenedy next best LB and versatile AF. But means no Slimani. Fuchs LB, or go for someone from Leicester as the backup ST?

Can't have any more French or English players either.

Maybe have Okazaki as backup CF?

Either Okazaki, or a foreign CB instead of Tarkowski and then Vardy?

I also think Chicharito > Okazaki but that would be your decision as captain Olly

Maybe we could Schmiechel GK, Ake CB, then have someone like Shaqiri on the bench? Gets Ake in the team

Nah, we've taken 5 days to sort the first XI, I'm sure we can just choose between Chicharito and Okazaki

Okazaki for me

What would Nando prefer?

I have no idea

Under a Poch side I think Okazaki would work better and I’m not sure Hernandez is actually good anymore

It's fairly 50/50 tbf. We'll go Okazaki then. If you write up your reasons I can post it all tomorrow and if needed add bits.


Bosnia
ROI
England x2
NI
Spain
France x2
Egypt
Belgium
Chile
Poland
Austria
Brazil
Gabon
Australia
Ivory Coast
Japan

Formation - 4-2-3-1. I think this is the best formation Pochettino plays with, its what worked for him so well at Southampton and it’s what Spurs play best with. It also allows us to have a more balanced XI and squad overall.

Starting XI - the theory was we wanted to have the firepower in the front four to basically win us any game, but also a front four that fits Poch’s style. Kane as the main striker is the obvious fit, and Poch likes the wingers to cut in thus Salah and Alexis, with KDB behind Kane. Kante/Doucoure offer us legs in midfield as well as Kante being able to sit and cover the FBs when they bomb on. As we’d used the main sides for the attacking players (mainly), we’ve got a defence made of the best of sides outside the top 4/5. Coleman/Monreal fit the Poch style nicely and Tarkowski/Evans offer solid CBs who are also able to get on the ball and play out from the back. Begovic is the best GK outside the top 4/5.

Subs - a lot of good backup from the lower table sides mainly. Particularly having guys like a Zaha to offer something different in terms of a direct winger, Mooy in a more creative CM role, Kenedy a more attacking FB than Monreal, and Okazaki a workhorse striker give us not only good depth but if needed different options too over the course of a season

Using the 20 sides in the Premier League, I want you to make an 18 man squad using 1 player per team with a maximum of 2 people from the same nation in the 18. You will be assigned Mauricio Pochettino to adapt a team around his play style.

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Formation - We decided to go with 4-2-3-1. We think this is the best formation Pochettino plays with, as it's what worked for him so well at Southampton, and in our opinion, it’s what Spurs play best with. It also allows us to have a more balanced XI and squad overall, as we feel the alternative (3-4-2-1) would require us to have a lot of defenders in the 18.


Starting XI - Our theory was that we wanted to have the firepower in the front four to basically win us any game, but also a front four that fits Pochettino's style. Kane as the main striker is the obvious fit, and as Pochettino likes the wingers to cut in, we've picked Salah and Alexis, with De Bruyne behind Kane pulling the strings.

Kante/Doucoure offer us legs in midfield as well as Kante being able to sit and cover the FBs when they bomb on. Doucoure offers us pace and power in an uncompromising box to box role, someone who can provide a physical presence going forward, as well as being someone who can hold his own defensively alongside Kante.

As we’d used the majority of the big sides for attacking players, we’ve got a defence made of the best of sides outside the top 4/5. Coleman/Monreal fit the Pochettino style nicely as fullbacks who are solid defensively but also capable when it comes to attacking. Coleman has always been good going up and down the flanks, and Monreal while often viewed as a defensive LB, has shown lately that he has an eye for a goal or two as well.

Tarkowski/Evans are solid CBs who are also able to get on the ball and play out from the back. Tarkowski has been superb this season for Burnley, and a big part of why they are as high up the Premier League table as they are. And Jonny Evans hasn't been linked with January moves to Man City/Arsenal for nothing, he's a proven defender who has also delivered on the international stage for Northern Ireland. We also feel that Kante especially would provide enough protection to Tarkowski and Evans to make their lack of star power a non issue.

Begovic is in our opinion, the best goalkeeper outside the top 4/5 sides. He has big club and international experience, and commands his area well.

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Our subs bench features a lot of good backup from the lower table sides. Particularly having guys like Zaha to offer something different in terms of a direct winger, Mooy in a more creative CM role, Kenedy a more attacking FB than Monreal, and Okazaki a workhorse striker give us not only good depth but if needed different options too over the course of a season. Lemina is a great all round midfielder to have, and we feel Wimmer is underrated, used as cover by Pochettino at Spurs before leaving to get first team games at Stoke.

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Clubs used
Arsenal (Monreal)
Bournemouth (Begovic)
Burnley (Tarkowski)
Chelsea (Kante)
Crystal Palace (Zaha)
Everton (Coleman)
Huddersfield (Mooy)
Leicester (Okazaki)
Liverpool (Salah)
Man City (De Bruyne)
Man Utd (Sanchez)
Newcastle (Kenedy)
Southampton (Lemina)
Stoke (Wimmer)
Swansea (Fabianski)
Tottenham (Kane)
Watford (Doucoure)
West Brom (Evans)
Unused sides: Brighton, West Ham

Nations Used
England x2 (Kane, Tarkowski)
France x2 (Kante, Doucoure)
Bosnia (Begovic)
Republic of Ireland (Coleman)
Northern Ireland (Evans)
Spain (Monreal)
Egypt (Salah)
Belgium (De Bruyne)
Chile (Sanchez)
Poland (Fabianski)
Austria (Wimmer)
Brazil (Kenedy)
Gabon (Lemina)
Australia (Mooy)
Ivory Coast (Zaha)
Japan (Okazaki)