Should Dunga and Brazil Experiment with a 3-5-2 Formation in 2015?

Strength in depth is a key concept in football. Something Dunga has proved so rapidly in less than six months back in the hot seat is that Brazil have options available.

Jefferson can preside over Diego Alves and the two youngsters Neto and Rafael Cabral. There are a plethora of creative options capable of prodding and providing in the middle.

And in attack, the lines have been blended between forwards and playmakers, to the benefit of the overall game plan, with 10 goals scored in the last three outings.

And, with Brazil's friendly against France confirmed for the end of March, per Sportskeeda, it could be the time for a new type of experiment. Now that the Selecao coach has established a core player pool from which to pick, is now the time to look at variations in formation and game plan?

Whilst the 4-2-4 has served Dunga well to date, an experimental 3-5-2 could help solve a defensive conundrum that has become evident, involving a trio of defenders who arguably all merit a place in the starting line-up.

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Miranda has proved his international credentials with aplomb. Having starred for Atletico Madrid last term, newspapers have linked him with a move to Old Trafford to plug gaps in Louis Van Gaal's more susceptible back line, as reported by The Daily Star.

He has fitted seamlessly into the national side, and David Luiz has formed a solid partnership alongside the 30-year-old. But their inclusion begs the question: What to do with Thiago Silva?

In just a few short months, the Paris Saint-Germain stopper has had his career turned upside down. He was the leader and rock around which Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazil was built.

His worth to the team was seemingly set in stone following their capitulation in his absence in the World Cup semi-final. But it would appear not even his club situation is secure at the minute, with reports in the Brazilian press (link in Portuguese) linking him with a move back to Milan, the place where he confirmed his status as one of the most feared defenders in the game.

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Having recovered from injury, the Brazilian has featured in just nine games so far this season, per Eurosport. But Silva has not turned into a terrible proposition overnight. This is a player who was, and indeed still is, considered one of the finest central defenders on the planet. His international future is by no means over.

But at present there seems no way to dislodge either Miranda or Luiz from their positions. What if Silva joined the band?

Flexibility and role sharing have been a big part of the Dunga revolution. Employing three men in central defence could further promote that playing style.

A 3-5-2 would necessitate the use of attack-minded full-backs. Danilo has looked threatening down the right, and this new shape could perfectly suit Marcelo, who holds the unenvied title of netting Brazil's only ever own goal at a World Cup.

The Real Madrid player's natural inclination to surge forward would be encouraged with three at the back, whereas his attacking forages playing in a back four had the potential to leave his teammates horribly exposed, as was evident against Germany back in July.

Three at the back would also give David Luiz the freedom to move forward into midfield, a position he has looked more than comfortable occupying in the past. Were Luiz to advance, the full-backs, or Luiz Gustavo, could respond by dropping back to provide defensive cover.

It will of course take time for the players to become accustomed to a new shape. But a few negative results would surely compensate Dunga, not to mention the players, adding another quiver to their tactical bow.

It is a well rehearsed theme these days and has been true for the best part of the last decade. Despite Neymar being the unquestioned star of the team, Brazil's strength remains across the back.

That has been proved again, with just one goal conceded in their six games under Dunga. Attempting a 3-5-2 would be a worthwhile experiment. It was, famously, the formation used by Scolari at the 2002 World Cup.

And we all know how that turned out.