The Midfield Pivot Blueprint
A look at why the double-pivot should be the priority in future windows, with two key midfield profiles outlined, plus how Szoboszlai and the striker rotation could benefit structurally.
Now that the transfer window is officially closed, it's clear the club decided against bringing in a new midfielder this summer. However, looking ahead to the next windows, addressing the double-pivot must remain our absolute priority if we want to truly unlock Iraola's system long-term.
We need to look at the tactical geometry of this squad. We have an elite, explosive frontline: Barcola on the left, Wirtz at the 10, Isak up front, and a massive focus on the right wing, whether that's Víctor Muñoz, Gakpo, or tracking premier targets like Yankuba Minteh or Rayan from Bournemouth depending on his form this year. When your attack has that much gravity, the midfield's job is to play strictly behind the ball to prevent counters and stay out of Wirtz's way.
Because our full-backs are poor and get caught out, we need to focus on two very specific profiles in future windows:
The Wide Shield (Target Profile: Anton Stach / Morten Frendrup)
A physical powerhouse with elite mobility. When our full-backs get bypassed, they have the engine to slide laterally into the wide channels, acting as a temporary third centre-back to kill counters at the source. Their vertical passing profile means they are able to launch direct, over-the-top balls or high-velocity diagonal switches into the wide channels, putting Barcola and Minteh/Rayan straight into isolated 1v1 footraces the moment we win transition balls.
The Press-Breaker (Target Profile: Angelo Stiller / Hugo Larsson)
An elite, press-resistant deep playmaker. They drop between our centre-backs in build-up to completely take the passing burden off our weak full-backs. Their verticality focuses on clean manipulation and micro-angles under intense high pressure, giving them the passing range to zip floor-hugging vertical balls straight through the opponent's midfield lines to find Wirtz right in the pockets.
The Szoboszlai Solution
Where does Szoboszlai fit into this? He is the perfect candidate to play a hybrid inverted right-back role. Out of possession, his monstrous engine ensures he can lock down the right flank defensively. On the ball, he tucks inside next to Stiller or Larsson to form a deep playmaker pairing, while Stach or Frendrup stays anchored right behind them as the central defensive rock. This allows us to weaponise Szoboszlai's elite crossing ability from deep, whipped angles, slicing teams open from the half-spaces like a deep quarterback while keeping the touchline completely clear for a winger like Minteh or Rayan to isolate defenders 1v1.
Getting the Best out of Isak & Ekitike
Getting this structural framework right also directly impacts how we manage our strikers. Hugo Ekitike provides high-quality cover and competition for Isak, but they are both forwards who love to drop deep or drift wide to create chaos rather than just standing statically in the box. When Isak or Ekitike pull out of the central zone to link play, Wirtz or our wingers instantly burst forward into that vacated space. To get the best out of these fluid movements, the midfield pivot behind them must remain entirely disciplined and anchored. Having these targets sitting deep ensures the centre of the pitch is locked down, giving our strikers the complete freedom to rotate and destroy backlines without risking defensive catastrophe.
Why targets like Camara or Koné fall short
The constant fan chatter around Lamine Camara or Manu Koné misses the mark. They are chase-and-destroy midfielders whose instinct is to vacate their zones. Against low blocks, they lack the vertical passing volume to cut teams open, and in Europe, their positional instability leaves our poor full-backs entirely isolated.
If we want to give Wirtz, Barcola, Isak, and Ekitike the ultimate platform to destroy teams, profiling players exactly like this and utilising Szoboszlai's hybrid flexibility is what we must do in the next windows.
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