2011-2012 Lineup

[BlueLion. 21,491]

The same squad plus Benayoun, Ramires, Oriol, Lukaku, Sturridge and Luiz. Its not like we're stuck with the same players completely...

Cech/Hilario/Turnbull

Bosingwa/Ivanovic/Ferreira - Luiz/Alex/Ivanovic - Terry/Rajkovic/Oriol - Cole/Bertrand/van Aanholt/Ferreira

Lampard/Benayoun/Clifford - Mikel/Oriol - Ramires/McEachran/Kakuta

Anelka/Sturridge - Drogba/Torres/Lukaku - Malouda/Kakuta

[toddandrewblue 19]

The same squad plus Benayoun, Ramires, Oriol, Lukaku, Sturridge and Luiz. Its not like we're stuck with the same players completely...

Cech/Hilario/Turnbull

Bosingwa/Ivanovic/Ferreira - Luiz/Alex/Ivanovic - Terry/Rajkovic/Oriol - Cole/Bertrand/van Aanholt/Ferreira

Lampard/Benayoun/Clifford - Mikel/Oriol - Ramires/McEachran/Kakuta

Anelka/Sturridge - Drogba/Torres/Lukaku - Malouda/Kakuta

Granted, but ramires played quite a bit last season, and Luiz, if he's not careful, can be reckless to the point of being a liability. Do you really think Benayoun and oriol will make a substantial impact? Do you think Sturridge will get enough time to have a say in things (I hope he does). And Lukaku is still up in the air, no? Just feel like the existing infrastructure is stale and/or broken down.

[Shane 2,275]

I still think AVB will make 3 or 4 signings that will effect the starting team next season. He'll probably go for the 4-3-3 he played at Porto, so...

Cech

Ivanvoic - Luiz - Terry - Cole

Lampard - Mikel - Modric

Sturridge - Torres/Drogba - Lukaku

I know you see Sturridge and Lukaku out on wide positions, But I think it will be more of a case of playing as inside forwards. I can see Sturridge playing as a winger, Crossing the ball when he needs too, But also cutting inside and making runs when he needs too. He won't be wasted, Because him making dianongle runs across the way, with a player like Modric slipping in a through ball will be deadly, and if he gets in anyway behind the defence, He should have Torres, or a late Lampard run to aim for, or to have a shot himself.

Lukaku on the left would be used as more as a supporting play for Torres, heading on flick on's, Getting on the end of attacks, and playing him there allows Torres to drop deep and support the midfield. I feel most of our width from the left hand side could come from Cole, Modric, or occasionaly Lukaku could whip one in with his left foot. Its all about the support play.

Saying that, Its just an example of how to make it work. I do expect us to sign a pure winger, I'm not banking on Modric, I'm just using an example of a player that I think we'll sign because its desperatly needed. We also have players like Drogba, Anelka, Kalou, Kakuta and Benayoun to bring on as attacking options.

Be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day.

[lionsden 4,689]

. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cech

. . . . Bosingwa .. . . . . . .. Alex. . . . . . . .Terry. . . . . . .Ashley

. . . . . . .. Ramires. . . . . . . . . . Mikel . .. . . . . Josh. . .. .

. . . . .. . . .. .Danny. . . . . . . . .. Torres . . . . . .Malouda

[Chelsawy 24]

i think he will go with the 433 formation

cech

iva (luiz) - JT - alex - cole

yossi - Josh - lamps

anelka - torres - malouda

check out this interesting post on how will Villas Boas use Chelsea resources to build for this year : The Lions Pitch

[Makaveli 59]

I would choose 4132 with players:

Čech

Luiz Alex Terry Cole

Mikel

Sturridge Ramires Kalou

Drogba Torres

or 442 with players:

Čech

Ivanovic Alex Terry Cole

Ramires Mikel Lampard Malouda

Sturridge Torres

or 433 with players:

Čech

Luiz Alex Terry Cole

Ramires McEachran Lampard

Sturridge Drogba Kalou

[handy15 9]

Not sure why people are fascinated with Modric, and others....we have the deram team right here:

[Peace. 4,352]

^ Are you serious ?

[lionsden 4,689]

Not sure why people are fascinated with Modric, and others....we have the deram team right here:

You need to apply for a coaching badge. Your formation and team selection is revolutionary and a stroke of genius

[manpe 10,861]

converting back to diamond eh? with Lampard in the Makelele role that's.... peculiar

[Domino- 116]

Sturridge shows interesting things here, but I'm not completely sure that it can be a permanent player to play at least 10 games at.

[incometax 116]

Strurridge suspended is still more threatening than kalou anelka and malouda combined, thats why people keep picking him vs stoke.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Possibly no Luiz, Alex, Ivanovic, Essien and Mikel for Stoke away, shall we throw the towel in now and hope there are riots there overnight? Seeing Ferreira at centre-back again will send me into a meltdown.

[manpe 10,861]

Will Oriol be available for the Stoke game?

[magic weeds 446]

Will Oriol be available for the Stoke game?

NO. still in Colombia. they beat Korea on penalties.

[Madmax 9,219]

Possibly no Luiz, Alex, Ivanovic, Essien and Mikel for Stoke away, shall we throw the towel in now and hope there are riots there overnight? Seeing Ferreira at centre-back again will send me into a meltdown.

What's up with Ivan?

Hopefully AvB has the balls to pick Kalas if that's what it comes down to, unlike Carlo who picked Paulo over Bruma in a similar situation.

[Peace. 4,352]

Seeing Ferreira at centre-back again will send me into a meltdown.

That also implies that the right back will be Bosingwa. And a pair Ferreira+Bosingwa on the right of our defense doesn't fill me with confidence, that's the least I can say.

[termninja 5,290]

Will Oriol be available for the Stoke game?

Even when he's back he'll probably be given a little rest...