Just days after announcing the termination of his contract with Atletico Mineiro, Brazilian icon Ronaldinho may have already found his new home. According to the Brazilian press (via UOL), the 34-year-old’s representatives have already met with the New York Red Bulls’ board of directors, with the demand of high salaries being the final obstacle for a free transfer to Red Bull Arena.
In his last season with Mineiro, Ronaldinho earned upwards to $3.5 million a year.
The question, however, isn’t whether the Red Bulls should pay an aging superstar such a high salary. The question is: Where would he fit should he complete a transfer to New York?
Throughout his tenure as head coach of the New York Red Bulls, head coach Mike Petke has predominantly featured his team in a flat 4-4-2. Ronaldinho, is best served plying his trade in the hole behind a strike partnership, not in the central midfield sharing the defensive responsibilities with a partner.
In order to best suit the capabilities of the newly acquired star, Petke must consider changing his system altogether. One strong possibility for consideration is the 4-2-2-2, which would allow both Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry to sit behind a strike partnership and facilitate the club’s creative prowess.
Below is a potential starting lineup utilizing that tactic.
New York Red Bulls’ Projected Lineup (4-2-2-2): Robles; Miller, Miazga, Olave, Duvall; McCarty, Alexander; Henry, Ronaldinho; Cahill, Wright-Phillips
The change, however, would keep Lloyd Sam out of the first-choice XI. The 29-year-old remains one of the club’s premier attacking threats, and is second in assists (six) behind Henry (eight).
The formation best suited for Ronaldinho and Sam’s inclusion is the 4-2-3-1, which would see Tim Cahill drop further into the midfield and partner with Dax McCarty in the central midfield—a role he has embraced thus far in the 2014 campaign.
Regardless of the formation, Petke will have another creative force at his disposal, but a deal must be agreed upon first.
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