Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal has stated that he will not be deviating from the 4-4-2 formation in the coming season, as reported by the Sheffield Star. 

Following the success of Premier League champions Chelsea, systems with three-man (or five-man, depending on your point of view) back-lines have suddenly become popular up and down the country.

However, the Portuguese boss has made it clear that he will not be among the many managers who try to ape the system that saw Antonio Conte's Blues win the Premier League, by a considerable margin.

Tottenham Hotspur are another side who have played a part in the re-emergence of the three-man back-line, with their ability to switch between the approach and the more conventional four at the back particularly impressive.

Top sides, and Conte's Italy side were another example, can play a proactive game, using their three centre-backs efficiently, allowing their wing-backs to push forward and cause all sorts of problems, as the wingers drift inside.

The explosion in the popularity has seen bosses try and use the shape to counteract the strengths of the opposition, but more often than not, you end up with a side who are not familiar with the nuances of the formation, which creates more problems than it solves.

Also, with a lower calibre of players, Carvalhal admits, it is much easier to get pinned back into a flat back five, with no out ball, which is why he will stick with 4-4-2 for the forthcoming season.

"You need top class players. I am not playing with three at the back, do not expect this," Carvalhal stated.

Sheffield Wednesday fans - what do you think? Should Carvalhal be more tactically flexible or are you happy to stick with 4-4-2? Let us know in the comments below...