How will Steve Bruce use Lazaro and Bentaleb at Newcastle United?
Newcastle United have added two players this month, but where do they fit into Steve Bruce’s tactical setup?
With Valentino Lazaro joining Nabil Bentaleb as incoming players this month for Newcastle United, Steve Bruce has added two quality options to his midfield on loan with an option to buy. Now that the reinforcements have arrived, we take a look at how they will fit into potential lineups/formations for the Magpies.
5-2-2-1
This is essentially what Newcastle United has played every match this season. With the two new additions here, Bentaleb easily fits into one of the two holding midfield positions, preferably next to Jonjo Shelvey. Lazaro is typically a right winger, but he also has experience at right back. He could take over that spot from Emil Krafth and the recovering Javi Manquillo and DeAndre Yedlin. Lazaro’s quality in the attack and skill out wide would make for some added danger from the right wing-back position.
4-2-3-1
It’s unlikely that Steve Bruce changes his shape this late in the season, but the injuries to Jetro Willems, Paul Dummett, Manquillo, and Yedlin might make it more likely to drop a defensive position for another option ahead of the backline. You can slide Almiron inside to a number ten and plug Lazaro out wide on the right. Miggy plays even better at that position than he does on the wing and it could be a boost to Joelinton or whatever striker is playing up top.
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5-2-3
If Brucey is willing to get very creative, this unconventional formation could give Newcastle United their best collection of talent on the pitch. It would keep the usual suspects in central defense with Matt Ritchie at left wing-back and Krafth, Manquillo, or Yedlin at right wing-back. In the midfield, you would pair Bentaleb with Shelvey or Isaac Hayden for more defensive strength. Then, in the attack, you would drop Joelinton to the bench and start a trio of Allan Saint-Maximin, Almiron, and Lazaro. Almiron could play essentially as a false-9, running the ball forward, playing it wide to ASM or Lazaro, and trying to score goals himself.