Think it’s quite clear how he’s thinking of setting up this season after these 2 games, particularly in the build up. You could see Fred dropping into LCB of a 3 often today, which will be De Jong’s role, Martinez central and one of Lindelof Varane or Maguire to the right. My opinion is he’ll use Eriksen as the sixpence (to quote Mike Bassett), an extremely tidy player to always be available for the ball off these 3 in a similar way Rodri is for City (albeit different in their defensive duties). I’d imagine that Ten Haag believes this can work should we lose possession as one of the full backs will always be tucked in, depending on which side the ball is on.
After years of us struggling to get the ball out from defence, we now have a player who can beat players from deep (presuming he signs), a CB who has a great passing range and can playmake from the back, and a central midfielder available to take the ball who’s extremely tidy and unnerved in possession. These 3 signings should transform us.