Best Formation for current Chelsea Squad?

[Barbara 15,149]

Imagine the likes of Rooney and de Rossi in our 4-3-3 next season, let alone any formation. We can crush any team

with someone like de Rossi I think we could have only one man ahead of the defense IF Oscar is part of the midfield. So Oscar could play in the 4-2-3-1 very close to the 3 guys. That way we could have three AM in the '3' (Mata, Hazard and Schürrle or Mata, Hazard and Kevin) and another striker.

Which makes me realize the DM is much more deficient than I first gave credit for. If we have someone strong, fairly decent passing and also with great stats and results in the position (our options alternate those traits between themselves), we could 'release' the second defensive midfield to go ahead more often - which is why I think Oscar could play here as he wouldn't have to be so far from the box (letting him be too deep would really be a waste).

Let's see if Mourinho finds some DM and FW on his searches. I'm not Rooney biggest fan, so I'm not looking forward to his transfer. I think he has potential to be Torres 2.0 although I rate Rooney (on his best) better than Torres (on his best). Thing is both are from their bests and I'm not sure Rooney would take the turnaround Torres didn't.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

4-1-4-1, with just Mikel in front of the defense? No.

We could play that with de Rossi as only DM...Maan that would be amazing.

Thats the main valid point that prevents us from going all guns blazing to 4-3-3. Mata does thrive as #10 but both Hazard and Oscar plays their best while operating in that role, like, when they we're at Lille and Sao Paolo respectively. Mata can obviously work in the RW with Mourinho opting for the invert winger option. I think players must suit their game while taking the entire team into consideration and not complain(Not saying Mata is complaining)....4-3-3 FTW

I think Hazard is best at LW. As he is our best player, that criteria is indifferent to the question of formation.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

We could play that with de Rossi as only DM...Maan that would be amazing.

I think Hazard is best at LW. As he is our best player, that criteria is indifferent to the question of formation.

You're absolutely right on the first part but i think Mata was our best player last season even though Hazard has got a lot more flair

[SeB 1,281]

We could play that with de Rossi as only DM...Maan that would be amazing.

You should watch Argentina's campaign at the 2010 WC, 5 attackers and a defensive midfielder. No surprise they were crashed by Germany in quarter finals

[SeB 1,281]

Also based in what Mourinho said yesterday about David Luiz, I think he'll try to make Luiz work more and more on his passing (long-pass) and he did some amazing long passes for Brazil last month in CC - all while playing as a CB, not a DM. So if Luiz can make those longer passes more often and complete successfully a few of them for match

I don't think Luiz's long play is the actuall issue when some of his passes leaves the field. He's a terrific delivery with both feet. The main issue is that there was no proper runs on a regular basis to pass the ball that way, mainly because our attackers prefer to get the ball on their feet. Torres or Mata could run into space, but not often enough

We have options with Moses, Schürrle (even Bertrand)... that allows us to play more direct in the channels because they do actual runs in behind.

That's a similar conclusion to Ivanovic's apparent waste in his long play, that's because there's no runs nor obvious target for such an approach.

[SeB 1,281]

I though about that team to start the season.

I think it will become even more obvious about why Mourinho wants so much Rooney, he already has explained why he wants someone to link up and score (one of the reasons why I though Lewandowski would be an astute signing).

So that's 4231, 433, call it whatever you want. What's important though would be that there is a shape of three genuine midfielders sweeping in behind three attackers.

Full backs' contribution is crucial, Cole and Azpilicueta can create chances for fun and the last couple of seasons showed they could even do so without proper options to link up in their channel.

Mikel as the deepest of the two midfielers, alongside Ramires. Oscar as the most advanced midfielder, that wouldn't prevent him to act as required in the left side of the pitch

A front three with Mata on the right that could get into the central zone being untracked by his direct opponent (wether left back, DM...). Hazard would be used as a wide forward having really improved his off the ball movements, runs into space in instance. He's probably one of the best finishers in Europe.

Rooney as "false 9/real 9". Could drop to link up, setting up crosses as well as converting those crosses into the box.

In defensive transitions, I'd expect Mata and Hazard to block the center of the field to force the opponent to pass the ball toward the channels in order to create 2v2 in wide zones (Azpilicueta+Ramires vs full back/winger). Mikel to step back toward the edge of the penalty area alongside either Ramires or Oscar (the one that wasn't part of the 2vs2 in wide areas).

We could then get protection and recover the ball quickly without being forced to ask Hazard and Mata specific kind of defensive work (runs up and down) they aren't able to do for the sake of their attacking sharpness.

[Blue Armour 4,436]

I still feel we are lacking the player that can actually dominate the central midfield...Both in the attacking and in the defensive sense. Essien was good enough for both when he was in form and Makelele could dominate in the defensive sense. Now Lampard no longer has much influence and Mikel is woefully inconsistent. I feel we are going into the season relying heavily upon Essien to return to form, as well as expecting youngsters Van Ginkel and Oscar to step up. One might mention Ramires, but I feel he's more like an excellent supporting option in midfield. We really need to bring in another player to bolster the center.