I'm wondering if we're trying to shift away from LB/RB?
Maybe they're looking at switching permanently to a 3-5-2 with LM/RM playing a more defensive role... thereby nullifying the need for a LB? I could see that happening.
Deila's system is a 4-2-3-1, according to many reports, so while I think the 3-5-2 is probably a better fit for this roster, I would think we'll at least start in a 4-2-3-1.
I think what we're most likely to see, at least at the start:
-----Heber----
Mitri--Maxi--Castellanos/Isi/GMS/Medina
---Ring-Parks----
Mata-Callens-Chanot-Tinnerholm
-----Johnson----
I really want to find a way to get Sands into the lineup, I just don't know where he fits in right now. I'm not putting him at centerback over Callens or Chanot, and I can't take Ring off the field.
We do have a ton of fixture congestion this season, so Sands will still get 20 starts or so, most likely, since he'll be spelling guys throughout the year, but I don't know how you get him in the first-choice XI if you're staying with a 4-2-3-1.
Personally I'm interested in seeing what a 3-5-2 looks like:
----Heber-Mitri----
Mata-Parks-Maxi-Ring-Tinnerholm
--Callens-Sands-Chanot---
-------Johnson-----
That, right there, is probably our best 11 players all on the field in a starting lineup. But will Deila use that formation? We need to learn more about our new coach before we know for sure.