In an earlier post I have an IF Ligue 1 4231 team and since then I've made a lot more, apologies for not updating my IF teams; I've had perhaps 15 since then; but last week I decided to use untried silver players in a 4231 formation.
This is what I came up with, and it's great fun to play with.
I'll do a run down of the players but this post is about chemistry and some great 4231 examples to help you along.
The 4231 formation needs a few key components to make it work well; a CDM who defends and plays the ball off, another who can but also passes well, wide men who are quick or skilful, and a striker who can finish well, and even better, with both feet.
As a quick run down, Holebas is excellent and feel very tall, he might come forward but he's quick enough to get back; Whittaker is similar but he seems to keep his positioning a little better.
Mariappa is brilliant and is complemented by the high quality Federici, Manolas is poor on the ball but a decent defender who stays back excellently.
Maniatis is always coming back to support the CB, which is very useful and though he isn't the best dribbler his passing is more than adequate, Tettey is similar but he's more of a ball chaser which he does brilliantly. His passing is a plus for me, though when I am able to play the ball to Drage I prefer to use him.
The combination of Drage, Huseklepp and Tettey lets me work the ball around well, and when on Fetfatzidis' side I use his 5* skills to beat a man and either make a run or find Huseklepp or Elyounoussi who is always on the move.
Elyou and Hus are incredible finishers, from every angle, though Hus isn't a playmaker in any way he is more than able to play CF , though I am tempted to swap him with Drage, who's passing is superb.
That's the team run down but this is my main attraction; chemistry.
Sometimes when you make teams you find you don't have quick enough full backs or centre backs, or even CAM's. Hopefully this guide will help you eliminate those annoyances and find perfect chemistry links with good players.
If you look at my South African build I am using two Germans to create full chemistry; South Africa lacks a good goalkeeper, and Sangweni the CB is good but other options are thin on the ground...I needed a solution as I really like my SA team.
These two Germans are Kirchhoff and Muller from 1. FSV Mainz 05, Bundesliga.
Both suit the roles well, Kirch is quick enough and a great defender and Muller is excellent. 99 Chemistry.
The following teams are full chem examples of players that would suit 4231 in either CAM, LB/RB, CDM, CF or ST and have the work rates and qualities to do so.
Interestingly if you have a CAM and CDM, same nationality/club your full back just needs one green link and one orange, this is very useful in using excellent players such as Fagner.
Attacking combinations. (CDM M/M)
Defensive combinations - CDM L/H
Tyson for example is left footed and a wing player, perfect for this formation so go hunt down a cheap CF>CAM card. (ST>CF cards are free aren't they)
Many more examples exist, of these well suited silver players. Ledesma for example has been bossing the defence and attack of my Argentina 433 team and is a brilliant player.
I haven't gone for the most expensive players in each position because I feel many people want to try out various silvers without the hassle of spending loads of coins.
Kayal, Brown, Izaguirre are good trio options, Izco, Alvarez, Dybala are others but you'll find CDM players like Brighi, Richarlyson, Toro, Weis and Allan all offering brilliant options for green lines within their league.
I stick to the following rules, one CDM 69 pace plus, ideally 73+, the other good all round player, quicker.
Both CAM's above 80 pace, and with good acceleration if under 85 pace and a CF above 75 pace, dribbling ability with either finishing/play making as the main strength, 4* WF if possible.
Hopefully the teams above have given you an insight in to how a hybrid 4231 could be set up with those sorts of players.
If anybody wants any Bronze teams shown do let me know, I have some great ones.
