The 5-3-2 formation looks set to take the football world by storm

After the departure of Spain from the World cup, in harrowing fashion, and Bayern Munich’s failure to retain the Champions League the “false nine” formation looks set to be locked away in the annals of football.

The formation that has stood out so far in this World Cup is the versatile 5-3-2 formation used to such great effect by the Netherlands and Mexico.

Both teams were unbeaten in the group stage, showing both attacking flair and defensive stability.

 The Netherlands' formation in practice

It is naturally a counterattacking formation, almost a foil for the “false nine” formation. Where the “false nine” style of play looks at keeping the ball as much as possible, the 5-3-2 is set up to play direct and with pace.

There is a lot of flexibility to this formation, however, and it is not necessarily restricted to this setup. Obviously with wing backs, when in attack it looks more like a 3-5-2. The three centre midfielders have the option to be versatile, with one player able to play in a more advance position, think Wesley Sneijder for the Netherlands, so that it looks more like a 3-4-1-2.

The key components to the 5-3-2 are wing backs with the ability to attack and defend, a ball playing centre back that can glide into the oppositions half to start attacks and a genuine striker.

One of the reasons why this formation is so effective is that when in possession teams can play keep ball. The three centre backs mean that teams can pass it at the back with ease. The three centre midfielders do not get over run in the middle. The wing backs offer the wide options and one of the two attackers has the freedom to move to wide positions.

Secondly, with three at the back teams cannot break against them as effectively. If the opposition decides to play more direct, there are three recognised centre backs or defensive minded players able to deal with it. With a ball playing centre back there, such as Rafael Marquez for Mexico, the side can start an attack with a player who is just as comfortable stopping one.

Thirdly, there is always a player in the box. Sides that play with a “false nine” formation are often criticised for not getting enough players in the box. Germany, in the World Cup so far, look a much more dynamic side when Miroslav Klose comes on giving them a different option and another factor that defences have to deal with.

Finally, there is freedom for a “number 10” to drop off or join the front man or move into the wider areas. Allowing these players freedom makes it difficult for opposition to defend as they find little pockets of space in the final third where they can be devastating. It doesn’t restrict them, like Eden Hazard for Belgium has found, to the wider areas and allows them to have more influence on the game. Arjen Robben for the Netherlands and Giovanni dos Santos for Mexico have been outstanding in this role.

It would not be surprising to see Louis Van Gaal adopt this formation in the Premiership next season and it could possibly see it take the football world by storm.