How Will Inter Miami Line Up With Alejandro Pozuelo?
Inter Miami has made some noise in the summer transfer window.
According to various reports, 30-year-old attacking midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo will be heading to South Florida in a trade from Toronto FC for $150,000 in allocation money.
Done deal, here we go. Inter Miami are set to sign Alejandro Pozuelo on permanent deal as Designated Player from Toronto FC, paperworks being prepared 🚨🇺🇸 #InterMiamiCF
Pozuelo has already accepted the proposal. #MLS pic.twitter.com/BwgsqoG1A0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 5, 2022
What comes as a massive addition to the squad at a critical moment in the playoff race, Inter Miami will have an MVP-caliber player at their disposal. Not only does Pozuelo bring MLS experience, but he also is the progressive passer that Miami’s midfield has been searching for since the club’s inception.
With a potential midfield partnership alongside Jean Mota and Gregore, suddenly, Miami’s playoff hopes are looking a little more likely.
Let’s see how the Herons will line up with the Spaniard.
How Will He Fit In?
Phil Neville lines up Inter Miami in a traditional 4-3-3. While this system normally doesn’t require an out and out number ’10,’ with Inter Miami, at least one central midfielder pushes up into the forward line to work in the half spaces:
— Inside The Touchline 🔢⚽️ (@tacticsbyalex) July 6, 2022
Bryce Duke has been the go-to player for Neville in this position. The 21-year-old has steadily shown his quality and playmaking ability as Miami’s main creative presence through the middle.
When Pozuelo dons the pink and black, he will – presumably, take the place of Duke in the midfield three. Playing just in front of the more defensive duo of Mota and Gregore, the Spaniard will have the freedom to roam and combine with the front three of Miami’s attacking trident.
According to FBref, Pozuelo is in the 94th percentile of progressive passes per 90 with 7.05 and also in the 95th percentile of passes into the final third with 5.38.
— Inside The Touchline 🔢⚽️ (@tacticsbyalex) July 6, 2022
With players like Ariel Lassiter, Robert Taylor, Indiana Vassilev, and Emerson Rodriguez on the wings, Pozuelo’s slick passing and ball retention will be key to Miami’s offensively expansive, yet defensively disciplined style.
Being able to hit players running the channels on the touchline with his vision and ball skills, will give the South Florida club even more potency on counters:
This season, Miami has oftentimes relinquished the ball in favor of defensive compactness. Though Neville has spoken about wanting to keep more possession, they haven’t quite found a way to be able to do that consistently.
Bravo, Chris Henderson.
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