Valverde is the most experienced Manager we have hired in a long time. Lucho,Pep,Tito,Tata didn't have the experience Valverde had by the time they got the Barca job. But despite his experience Valverde is still learning himself new ideas on implementing his own ideas while learning from some of Peps ideas from his time here.
He's well known for his favorite formation the 4-2-3-1 and a lot of Calatan journalists etc, talked about how he never used the 4-3-3 much or if not at all and it was mostly a 4-2-3-1 he used. But the Espanyol match showed something nostalgic with the 4-3-3. Messi as a False 9, Suarez in the Villa/Henry role as a LF and Deulo on the right wing and having Alba work in an Alves like Fullback role with Semedo looking more in an Abidal like role.
It certainly reminds you a bit of Pep's setup, and it wouldn't be surprising if Valverde kept it and continued to keep the system working and more flexible when needed. Makes me wish we had a Quality CM or two to go with this system Valverde is working on.