...I think there’s always a place for quality as long as the blend is right. As you say, Beckham didn’t go past players, he shifted it to get half a yard with fantastic delivery. Sheedy was similar only he had a Rolls Royce of a full-back behind him.
I think too much is made of systems, I often refer to successful sides being a good blueprint for Managers of today to start with. The ‘85 side;
a truly top goalkeeper
3 of the back four with Rolls Royce engines
2 full backs with brilliant crossing ability
2 CMs who rarely crossed the half-way line; hunted as a pair, won possession and gave it to playmakers
2 wide midfielders with great quality in possession, terrific creative ability & providing excellent goalscoring contribution
2 industrious & combative strikers, working as a pair, linking play, scoring goals, nightmare to play against
With the added ingredient of attitude & blend. I’m sure it would still work today.