₦airaland Forum

TheSuperNerd:
A 3-5-2 setup with a 3-man midfield having an enforcer, a mezzala and an attacking midfielder cum "wingfielder". No true winger due to presence of wingbacks who will be key in offensive transitions. Not a bad one. Ogbu, Bassey and Semi are okay in this setup and Zaidu/Osayi as wingbacks suit it as well. Osayi to be covered by Semi on that right side.

Ogbu as CCB just as he features in his club is a solid selection for this setup.

In midfield, I would firstly interchange Akin with Iwobi. Akin on the LHS and Iwobi on the RHS. Both acting as 8s but with distinct functions. Akin as B2B 8 from the LHS and Iwobi as 8 from the RHS providing the vision and passing lanes to connect with Osimhen and Lookman.

Now while Ndidi sits deep, shields and try to contribute to our first phase buildup, Akinsanmiro can come deep and link up, ball-carry when needed and break the lines pushing our 1st phase into the 2nd and final phases of our offensive transition. I pick Akin for this and not Iwobi because I need Iwobi lurking closer to the final third, between the opposition lines either centrally or on the Right half space. Iwobi's eye for a final ball is far more effective closer to the final third than from deep.
This does not mean Iwobi can't fall back sometimes to help pick up the pieces in case of possession turnover. But on-the-ball, when we are in possession, he is to stick closer to the frontlines, exploiting the gaps in between their defensive midfield, fullback and central defensive lines. He wont be doing this alone though.


Now in attack, Lookman in a 2 man attack with Osimhen but mainly covering the top left final third moving central as Osimhen spearheads from the top right final third and centrally.
Lookman could also fall a few steps behind Osimhen as an SS and join Iwobi in exploiting the gaps in between those opposition defensive lines, this draws markers towards Iwobi and Lookman coz they also can shoot from those gaps or lay a further final pass to the Predator in wait (Osimhen) to land the kill.

This is dynamic as even a few times Osimhen himself could fill the gap freeing Lookman to attack the central zones in the final third and finish the move.

But ofcourse, this is not the only strategy of attack. Crosses from the channels, the surprise switch of plays, the long balls, the setpieces and more are other channels we can use to punish.

Defensively, this 352 metamorphoses easily into a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 shape. The wingbacks fall back into the extreme defensive third in step with the core back 3. Ndidi falls back just slightly ahead of the defensive line providing another layer of defence in step with Akinsanmiro on the left and Iwobi on the right. 5-3-2. Leaving Lookman and Osimhen to act as outlets when posession is recovered.

In a 5-4-1... it would see Lookman join them leaving Osimhen to stay close to their last man or next to last man, in case of a quick possession recovery on our part.

In terms of pressing out of possession with the ball still in the opposition's first phase of buildup, Lookman, Osimhen, Akin and Iwobi and the corresponding Wingback get close to shut out enough passing lanes, put pressure on the closest potential receiver and choke out their buildup.


Again, a fine setup. Gives us offensive and defensive balance if utilised correctly. Tactically similar to Peseiro's 343/3421 but with its own sound variations.

junnyjake:
I'm curious.

Have you watched Ryan play?

Bossoflife25:
DID YOU SEE IWOBI GOAL AGAINST MANCITY? WATCH BALL ABEG!

Bossoflife25:
DIAZ AND IWOBI DOESN'T EVEN PLAY THE SAME WING. PEEPS HERE ARE SO FUNNY! WALAHI!

DeloitteNG:
I don't think Chelle is going to play anything different from this

TheSuperNerd:
Iwobi x Bassey: Let's go do it again!

Chukwueze: OMG! Do what again? We didnt win it before, so to do what again? (LOSE?)

😂😂

................

Bassey: So you need to cook now eh, Chuks

Chukwueze: Yes na, if only u can pass me the ball, then I can cook...... and cooking will only be complere when we lift that title.

Samueltemi337:
Chelle will not play bassey at LB

chrisooblog:
My starting XI against Tanzania if everyone is fit.

Nwabali
Ryan (still don't fancy Osayi in RB Position)
Ogbu
Bassey
Zaidu
Ndidi (Captain will start but will love to see more of Ebenezer and Nnadi to see if they can function in that position)
Iwobi (Weaker opposition on paper should afford him more room to be an attacking influence)
Fisayo (Has good attacking instincts. Could also drift to the left giving Lookman space to operate in the center with Osimhen)
Chukwueze
Lookman
Osimhen

Subs: Akor, Fago, Ebenezer/Nnadi, Ejuke, and Simon

It's crucial that Chelle doesn't make the mistake JP made of underutilizing his bench. He's also prone to confusing the profile of his players.

With the right attitude and determination I think Coach Eric has the tools to achieve something special.

lexyman:
i j ust watch one of the tit-tok clip of Ndidi , he said they re in Morocco to have fun ... if you like take them serious .. the Captain has spoken ....

zuchyblink:
I don't know how Eric Chelle will do it,I want to see Akin,Nnadi, Osimhen,Akor and Chukwueze starting together the AFCON

COOL10:
Lol, Iwobi was substituted in the 77th minute in that game against DRC. You make it sound like he was yanked off in the first half or something.

See, I know it may be hard for you to accept but the truth is that until we find a suitable replacement, Iwobi still remains not just the best but the ONLY creative midfielder in that squad and today's match proved it.

CapitalCee:
Calm down African teams can beat us, but no African team can trash us

COOL10:
People can now see the importance of Iwobi. Intensity without creativity will lead you into the bush

Samueltemi337:
https://www.youtube.com/live/3S0lSWRR6T4?si=ZgKzshZuOeZDzFiP

QueenJazz:
I have to agree here. Our B team drew against Russia. Russia!!

Osimhen and Lookman (in top form o) in that game would have made it 2-1 in our favor for sure.

QueenJazz:
I mean, I see where he's coming from. Those three have an annoying habit of folding in major games. It has happened at least twice now.

QueenJazz:
I don't know why this sounded funny. 😃😂😂

Samueltemi337:
Leave chukwueze in his right wing
That's what I am saying

Samueltemi337:
That won't work either

EJUKE MAGIC 🪄

Chidera Ejuke with a stunning solo run to score Sevilla's fourth in the Oviedo rout ⚡ pic.twitter.com/xUZmhrCwRB

— Soar Africa! (@SSE_NGA) December 14, 2025

joelsteron:
Samuel Chukwueze is playing LW for Fulham as oppose to RW and has 4 Assists so far.

I hope Chelle take advantage of this opportunity based on form and play his men at their respective positions at club levels.

I want Moses, Iwobi and Ndidi to the bench. And Onyedika, Akinsanmiro, Bashiru in our midfield.

No more sexy sideways passes and own goals please.

BankyGee:
He's not very effective there, I don't like to see him there. He's better on the left.