Playing style

[eldo 868]

Essien's athleticism is on the wane. The number of times he's been slow to react to situations is worrying. He gets caught in possession, mistimes tackles and can't pick a pass. Lampard is a problem too but I'd keep him in the side simply because there's no better option available. It's a sad state of affairs really. Lampard can be assigned a pure attacking role in a 433 courtesy of having the machine like Ramires alongside and Mikel to sweep any loose balls behind him.

Holding mid isn't his position. He is lost there. He tries to play his box to box game and then leaves so much space behind him. In result he is late with his marking and tackling.. Mikel sits there in the middle. he is perfect for that role..

Edit: I'm not saying that Essien has lost his game..he was great in the start of the season..He showed his athletcisism then..

[HRiver 1,512]

I think everyone on here could identify Lamps and Essien being the poorest performers. Shame the man in charge couldn't.

Essien must be dropped definitely. John Mikel is better than him, simples.

[Tomo 21,495]

In all seriousness i think this proves that we need 1 of Mikel, Benayoun and McEachran playing evrey game.

What has happened to Essien this season? in season's gone by his presence alone was inspiring the players around him this season he isnt even inspiring himself. He NEVER lost at Stamford Bridge before the Liverpool game now he has twice. Lampard seems lost i think his role needs to be lessered.

Defence and goallie are fine we just need some boosing up front, last night highlighted the importance already of David Luiz.

Essien must be dropped definitely. John Mikel is better than him, simples.

I wouldont go that far but he is certainly a long way from his best.

[Madmax 9,219]

To say that our squad is full of world class players is gross overestimation. Except Cech and maybe Ivanovic I doubt any of our players would get into a world XI.

On pitch play is a problem obviously but I think most of us are ignoring he fact that there are huge problems in our mentality / psychological condition. The players are too timid. They're not really focused and there seems to be no resilience or desire to take the game to the opponent. We've essentially turned into flat track bullies - awesome when the situations are to our liking but awful when people get in our faces and don't allow us to play the way we want. It's a shocking change and something very uncharacteristic of the Chelsea I knew over the years.

[Styles 9,790]

To say that our squad is full of world class players is gross overestimation. Except Cech and maybe Ivanovic I doubt any of our players would get into a world XI.

Ashley would.

The thing is none of our midfield or forward players currently are even mentioned in a discussion about the best players in the world. That tells it's own story.

[eldo 868]

Ashley would.

The thing is none of our midfield or forward players currently are even mentioned in a discussion about the best players in the world. That tells it's own story.

Time for new cycle I guess.

[Styles 9,790]

Time for new cycle I guess.

Who would you let go of this summer in order to get replacements?

[Madmax 9,219]

Who would ypu let go of this summer in order to get replacements?

Bosingwa, Zhirkov, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka. Not counting fringe players like Turnbull, Ferreira, Kalou. The most important thing is to get replacements though.

[eldo 868]

Who would you let go of this summer in order to get replacements?

I wouldn't let too many of them out. Maybe just Malouda, Anelka and Fereirra as Esk said.

The most important thing is too add 2-3 players that we really need. Right winger and attacking midfielder are very much needed. Like you pointed out we don't have many options, even if we change formations it's not good

[steve5221 91]

In the modern game it has to be 4-3-3 or 4-5-1.....

Seeing as he have spent 50 million on Torres, we have to build the team around him in a 4-5-1 formation. That would also get the best out of Lampard. As has been said we need a right and left midfielder with Malouda, Drogba and Anelka sold.....

[spuz 143]

To say that our squad is full of world class players is gross overestimation. Except Cech and maybe Ivanovic I doubt any of our players would get into a world XI.

Many more of our players have the ability and should be mentioned amongst the best.

It's just a pure coincidence that all of them are all under performing at the same time have been all season and purely coincidental they've been rubbish all season and stuck in a 'bad moment'. Coincidence that as a team we've looked shit all season too.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

4-3-3 has solved the problem before and it will see us win at Old Trafford on Tuesday as well.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

With these group of players I can only think of one system we can try..

Cech

Ivanovic - Luiz - Terry - Cole

Mikel

Benayoun - Ramires - Essien - Lampard

Drogba

A good ol' 4-5-1 with a lone striker in the form of Drogba, Torres, Anelka or even Kalou. Since we're weak on the left, playing Lampard there temporarily is the only suitable short term solution. Even playing Kalou on the left and replacing Essien with Lampard could work.

Of course this all look good on paper. But in practice our squad shows they are unable to handle changes in the formation.

p.s. Mikel is vital.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

I posted this in the Malouda thread, I'll post it here as well, since it relates to this topic as well.

We should go back to the 4-3-3 with Drogba on the right, cause he can hold up the ball on the right and put in some dangerous crosses and Anelka on the left, since he is pretty good at cutting inside.

But if we stick with the 4-4-2, then maybe it's just me, but I think Malouda can do better than Lampard in the 4-4-2 we're playing right now.

----------------Torres------------------------

---------------------------Anelka-------------

Zhirkov----Malouda----Mikel----Ramires

Cole-------Terry------Alex/Luiz----Ivanovic

----------------------Cech-------------------

[Term-X 7,891]

I can understand the board's unwillingness to let the managers stamp their own identity to the squad, Carlo requesting Pirlo is a prime example.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I can understand the board's unwillingness to let the managers stamp their own identity to the squad, Carlo requesting Pirlo is a prime example.

The last time they did let a manager do that was with Mourinho by allowing him to bring Carvalho, Deco, Ferreira & Tiago..

[Term-X 7,891]

The last time they did let a manager do that was with Mourinho by allowing him to bring Carvalho, Deco, Ferreira & Tiago..

I'm aware of that. I was referring to the demands Carlo made, not the general premise.

[chrismada9 1,948]

You can't put all the blame on CA though. There's not much he can do about his midfielders not being able to make the easiest of passes.

Absolutely! Our midfielders need to start delivering. We've always used a 4-3-3 and it's worked year in year out, and it gets the best out of players like Lampard and Essien because they're used to it.

[MetsajCFC 1,251]

Ramires, Luiz and Torres aren't the problem.

Malouda, Lampard, Zhirkov, Essien and co are the problem. If none of these players can pass the ball or create anything then there's not much Ancelotti can do.

Agree with your views, well said Styles

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I'm aware of that. I was referring to the demands Carlo made, not the general premise.

Mm, I meant that in the sense, after Mourinho left, 3/4 followed. Carvalho stated he'd wanted to leave well beyond last season, Deco wanted to go back to Brazil and Thiago was gone anyway. Ferreira's only stuck around because he feels a special connection with the club & probably because there wasn't much demand for him.