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Ox - The wing-backs that I follow

You would be hard pressed to find an international footballer who has played in more positions than Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this season.

After starting the season on either wing, the 23-year-old filled in at right back when we needed more of an attacking edge and in midfield when we required more control.

Now playing regularly at wing-back in our new-look 3-4-3 system, Oxlade-Chamberlain has has to adapt to a sixth position in 10 months. So how has he learned his new role?

“When I’ve watched teams that play with five at the back and wing-backs, I’ve looked at their starting positions and positions out of possession because that comes a little bit more unnaturally to me,” he said.

“When I get the ball, over the years I’ve learnt to take people on and bring that side of my game out. I haven’t really watched too many people doing that stuff, it’s more the out-of-possession roles from players that play the position week in, week out who have done it over the years.

“I take note of anyone when they play. Tottenham play with that formation, Chelsea play with that formation. There’s a lot of teams who have played with that formation, so I watch all the full backs, the left back, the right back.

“There’s nobody in particular that springs to mind. When I’ve watched Dani Alves recently, he might not play the five at the back, but the way he plays, he marches on and he adds a lot in an attacking sense as well as defensively. Players like that, you watch and you learn from them.”

 

More quizzes coming soon!