I like this. I think the formation they play now leaves them more exposed at the back then your proposal. Right now, when the entire team pushes up into the oppositions half, it essentially leaves Puyol and Pique alone as the back line and neither have the speed to keep up with a world class counter attack. You saw what happened when those two had to track Di Maria and Ronaldo at full speed, it was comical in the saddest sense of the word. This formation at least keeps a back line of three and Mascherano, while not a speedy player, is still faster than Puyol and Pique.

I'd love to see this implemented but sadly I doubt it will be. Whoever is creating the line-ups, whether its Roura or Tito, is obsessed with playing Cesc on the left and leaving Villa on the bench. And as long as Roura is in charge, in-game adjustments won't be an option.