this part.

there is so much for us to improve when it comes to tactics. call me bias or whatever you guys want but i have been noticing that the best way to defeat possesion-based teams are to have a strong double pivot first used by heynckes. i witnessed this when bayern destroyed barca and madrid dismantling bayern themselves. the two double pivots, basti n martinez as well as alonso and modric were never too far apart from each other, allowing them to support each other when in possession or in defensive stance. in this formation, one would the the destroyer who sweeps potential threats to the defense while the other pivot would sit deep and in between the two centre backs to distribute and guide the team from deep. i also realized that the destroyer tend play higher up the pitch than the playmaker, on the contrary to popular belief. this allows the teams to break down play initiated by opponent's deep playmaker.

but in order that, we need a proper destroyer who is technical enough. i believe we SHOULD have it in coquelin. but as for the deep playmaker, im sorry to say that no one is good enough for that role. the only player who understands that role is arteta who is already semi-retired. wilshere lacks the tactical understanding and discipline to do well at No.6. Same goes to ramsey. flame we all you want but these two just cheong up the field without thinking about those at the back. fortunately, these things can be taught. and i foresee ramsey to grasp such concepts faster than wilshere.

if we have no choice, we got to look abroad. there are a couple of deep playmakers who might be possible

1. Gundogan- a world class young deep lying playmaker for me. came back to his former self which dismantled madrid and bayern midfield a couple of seasons agi.

2. Xhaka- dubbed the young schweinsteiger by hitzfeld. could be a cheaper option than gundogan.

3. Weigl- heard that pep wants him at man city. been watching this player for this season and he seems to be another busquets in terms of his footballing brain. keeps it simple, releasing the ball shortly after receiving it etc.

4. verrati- i would say he is the next xabi alonso. nuff said.

I'm sorry to say that i do not share the same sentiment as you on that. I do agree that santi is a very good footballer but for this role? We shall see.  I guess we have to agree to disagree on this.