THE OVERHAUL!

[bababoom 4,478]

I hope we eventually start playing our football like Manchester City.

Although they also use a 4-2-3-1, it's much better than our own.

We use 2 defensive midfielders, 1 attacking midfielder, 2 wingers, 1 striker.

They use 1 defensive midfielder partnered with 1 box-to-box midfielder, 2 playmakers where the wingers would usually be (but they play closer to the centre and then drift out wide to put a cross in when needed), and then a trequartista who swaps roles with the striker up-top, who often also acts as a trequartista.

(A trequartista is a player who switches between being a striker and attacking midfielder throughout the game. Think Aguero, Messi, Rooney.)

This creates ultimate possession with the playmakers, striker and trequartista all wanting to pass, pass, pass, while the box-to-box midfielder will often go with a surprise run and put the ball into the net when those playmakers mentioned occasionally drift wide, opening up space in the middle.

Due to their playmaking-wingers playing a lot more central, their full backs always need to bomb forward.

I think we could play something like them if we lined up in the following way -

Cech

Kane, Cahill, Terry, Cole

Mikel, Ramires

De Bruyne, Mata, Hazard

Torres

This would give us an English back 4 which would be great for communication purposes, a possession-minded midfielder in Mikel deployed as the holding midfielder, Ramires with his surging runs and versatility,

De Bruyne whose fantastic with both feet and works well in any attacking position, Mata is obvious, and then hopefully we can snatch up Hazard who is MADE for this role.

With Lampard as a sub able to play where Mikel/Ramires are or where Mata is, Marin able to cover for any of the front/mid 3, Bertrand to rotate with Cole, Ivanovic to rotate with Kane, and Lukaku and Sturridge able to cover for Torres, I'm sure this would bring us effective, possession, attacking football.

No need to go crazy with the money and buy Hulk and Lucas Moura who wouldn't even fit into a 4-2-3-1.

We'd be much better off investing in back-ups and rotation options.

Good post, but i dont think Ramires should be playing in that postition, he's miles better playing a bit forward.

[Joshyboy 36]

I think the defence is fine myself

Cole - JT - Luiz - Brana

Proved they can withstand the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, they've played together all season and their a pretty solid defensive unit overall.

Midfield needs to be freshened up, I'd like to see us playing at a quicker tempo, myself and John Obi (who in fairness has shone since RDM took the reins) tends to really slow the game down for me, which is fine when your playing in a defensive midfield position, but he never tries anything adventurous, he passes backward and sideways.

So a new pairing in the deeper midfield roles would be on the cards for me;

Lampard - Ramires ?

Romeu (yeah he's still alive) - Lampard?

The front four is where we build the attacking game that Roman, and I'm sure a number of the fans wants to see at the bridge this season, they players need to be able to pick a pass, get past a defender and move with some purpose, our tempos always been a bit too slow for me, too many sideways and backward passes, we need someone who can take the initiative and start trying to thread those balls onto the strikers toes or use their twinkle toes to duck past a defender and make an opening for themselves.

They need to be intelligent off the ball and deadly on it, something we're lacking when you look at Malouda & Kalou, the players capable of playing that trequistra role or even playing out wide.

(In an ideal world)

Hulk - Mata - Hazard

Upfront, our biggest issue, Nando? Can he still do It? I think any confidence he'd build up over the past few months was probably dashed when he was dropped for the Champs League Final (for good reason) so I think he'd be back to square one, but I, like most other Chelsea fans want to see him back on song and firing on all cylinders, problem is out game has always been too slower tempo'd for his playstyle, look at his an Stevie G's partnership, he'd have balls over the top, or balls to run onto he'd make the most of his pace and finishing playing like that, whereas with us he's playing with his back to goal and having to fashion his own chances, which he's obviously not great at.

SO I'd say if we sign someone capable to putting the balls onto his toe when he's playing off the shoulder, keep him, give him 6 months worst case scenario.

Torres

Sorry about the essay, really quiet day at work!

[gary gordon 1,777]

With word that Kalou, Bosingwa, Paulo, Malouda and Essien are on there way out, i would like to see at least 2 high profile signings and 3 premier league based players bought in. Junior Hoilett or Nathan Dyer would be a good signing in my opinion. Also players like Ben Arfa and Fellaini would be very good acquisitions. I think we could build a very strong team without having to pay over's. Would hate to see us put all our eggs in one basket and sign Hulk for 50 million. We need more then a striker, our attack was abysmal this season.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

With word that Kalou, Bosingwa, Paulo, Malouda and Essien are on there way out, i would like to see at least 2 high profile signings and 3 premier league based players bought in. Junior Hoilett or Nathan Dyer would be a good signing in my opinion. Also players like Ben Arfa and Fellaini would be very good acquisitions. I think we could build a very strong team without having to pay over's. Would hate to see us put all our eggs in one basket and sign Hulk for 50 million. We need more then a striker, our attack was abysmal this season.

Hulk is a winger who can play as a Striker. How many times are people going to call him a striker? Ignorance.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

We need to balance our team well.Apart from Drogba,4 squad players are set to leave in the summer and so therefore its important we replace them with our youngsters instead of overpriced signings.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

We need to balance our team well.Apart from Drogba,4 squad players are set to leave in the summer and so therefore its important we replace them with our youngsters instead of overpriced signings.

No, we need 1-2 big name players. We're lacking quality on the flanks.

[Joshyboy 36]

Hulk is a winger who can play as a Striker. How many times are people going to call him a striker? Ignorance.

Hulk is a striker bro, but when Falcao was at the club he was playing as an inside forward, same as Sturridge who is also.. not a winger.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

No, we need 1-2 big name players. We're lacking quality on the flanks.

Yes obviously.I just meant that we should consider the youth talent in our team and give them chances as well.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Hulk is a striker bro, but when Falcao was at the club he was playing as an inside forward, same as Sturridge who is also.. not a winger.

Hulk has Excelled as a WINGER. End of story. He would play as a winger here.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Hulk is a striker bro, but when Falcao was at the club he was playing as an inside forward, same as Sturridge who is also.. not a winger.

He'll bond well with Danny.

[Tricky 301]

No, we need 1-2 big name players. We're lacking quality on the flanks.

I agree we need to provide the youth with a chance off first team football. We do need a big name wide player though, with real out and out pace.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Hulk played as striker because there was no better options. When there's a proper striker, he moves out wide and does very well there.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Hulk played as striker because there was no better options. When there's a proper striker, he moves out wide and does very well there.

EXACTLY! People who think he's a striker have no clue...

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Hulk played as striker because there was no better options. When there's a proper striker, he moves out wide and does very well there.

Why did you change to Marin?Feels so weird

[Sheva. 5,373]

Why did you change to Marin?Feels so weird

Lol what's weird about it?

[Madmax 9,219]

Another one of these threads ..

That's 429346 of them now.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Lol what's weird about it?

Used to recognizing you with the old avatar.

[Leif 6,006]

Hulk is a winger who can play as a Striker. How many times are people going to call him a striker? Ignorance.

He is not actually a winger. He's simply deployed there. He is infact a striker.