In today’s episode we’ll be taking a look at the very interesting set up that is the 5-3-2B. It is exactly the same as the 5-3-2A, with the only difference (and the most important one I might add) being that the 5-3-2B consists of a position known as a ‘Sweeper’. Now, for majority of people reading this, I’m certain that when you hear the word sweeper your mind immediately goes to Keepers like Neuer, Edison and Alisson who are considered modern day Keepers ( or Sweeper Keepers). But in this scenario, the Sweeper I’m talking about is the Central of the 3 Defenders, playing in a much more deeper position compared to the LCB and RCB. His primary responsibility is to cover both of his Centre Back partners and handle all through balls and long balls into the channels as well as down the centre. So, he basically “sweeps” up all loose balls coming his way (hence why the position got that name). He also has the responsibility of being his team’s playmaker from the defensive third when your team is in posession. The Sweeper position no longer exists in today’s modern game due to things like the aforementioned Sweeper Keeper and the offside trap. Since most teams now look to keep a flat line while defending in order to get attackers offside, the Sweeper position had to die out. I honestly believe that this is the main reason why I’ve never played against this formation during the 13 years of me being a SoccerManager. Even unmanaged teams do not fancy it as they prefer to play on a 5-3-2A set up instead.
The greatest Sweeper of all time was Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer as he was widely regarded as the very first Ball Playing Centre Back in the history of football. They’ve been other players over the years who could’ve played this position with as much finese as Beckenbauer ( Rio Ferdinand, Mats Hummels, Marquinhos just to name a few), but I truly believe that football has moved passed the need for a Sweeper and we should probably be looking to move pass ever using this formation because it simply isn’t up date.
The Soccermanager Experience 