From what ive heard, Yuri Zhirkov has pace and decent skill. All in all a very good left winger.

Though, as we're not playing a 4-3-3 anymore, where will he fit in? the left of the diamond requires him to be more of a CM. So another position may be the tip? Though, thats probably going to be contested by Joey and Deco. Second striker maybe? im guessing hell be deployed in a similar way to Malouda but i dot think hed bee effective in that position. the fluidity of our passing may stutter :/

is he fit again?

suppose it's an international break this week so he's bound to be back for stoke

Left of the diamond. He's a skillfull left sided player who can also play as left fullback (and will be our left back cover for Cashley I am sure) so he should be more than capable of the CM duties required for the diamond.

I'm really looking forward to seeing him in a Chelsea shirt - I had hoped he be on the bench for the Burnley game.

The diamond isn't the only formation we've played thus far. We've had 4-2-3-1's, 4-3-2-1's, I seem to remember a 4-2-2-2 and the diamond as well. I'm sure Ancelotti has a position in mind for Zhirkov and who knows what kind of formation we could end up playing with him in the side. Ancelotti has worked with him in pre-season and has seen what he has to offer, so I'm sure we can expect him to have a place somewhere in the side, but we don't just play the diamond, so it's anyone's guess as to where he'll play.

Left of the diamond. He's a skillfull left sided player who can also play as left fullback (and will be our left back cover for Cashley I am sure) so he should be more than capable of the CM duties required for the diamond.

I'm really looking forward to seeing him in a Chelsea shirt - I had hoped he be on the bench for the Burnley game.

The problem with that is that left is Frank's position.

The problem with that is that left is Frank's position.

exactly what i was thinking. when Frank played further behind with ballack and essien the passing is much more fluid going forward than say when frank plays further forward with Malouda as LCM. ive just got a feeling that in order for us to keep the great passing and movement we saw against Burnley we need to sacrafice someone further forward? I.E deco? Anelka?

exactly what i was thinking. when Frank played further behind with ballack and essien the passing is much more fluid going forward than say when frank plays further forward with Malouda as LCM. ive just got a feeling that in order for us to keep the great passing and movement we saw against Burnley we need to sacrafice someone further forward? I.E deco? Anelka?

That has more to do with Malouda not being in the starting eleven than with Lampard's position. :lol:

leftback. ancelotti has from time to time throw in a winger into midfield, but he's never been afraid of having seriously attacking players at fullback.

leftback. ancelotti has from time to time throw in a winger into midfield, but he's never been afraid of having seriously attacking players at fullback.

Cant see Zhirkov playing left back over Ashley to many times this season.

nor can I.

Maybe Zhirkov's arrival has been the catalyst for Ashley Cole's improved performances this season.

I assume the place he would play is on the left of the diamond, assuming we persist with the diamond as opposed to the Christmas tree formation.

However, would that move Frank to the tip of it?

Also, do people really think he would do a job at the tip of the diamond?

I assume the place he would play is on the left of the diamond, assuming we persist with the diamond as opposed to the Christmas tree formation.

However, would that move Frank to the tip of it?

Also, do people really think he would do a job at the tip of the diamond?

I think we're moving more towards the Christmas tree...and even then, if it does move to the top of the midfield, I don't think that would be as much of a problem as the top of the diamond - he'll be paired with Anelka/Deco/Kalou whoever, so that second player should allow Lamps a bit more freedom to roam, rather than stick to that position...I'd rather see him in the middle of the diamond or part of the 3, but it wouldn't be so bad inthe Christmas tree formation, I think.

the christmas tree and the diamond basically work in the same way. it doesn't make a difference really which we use more.

the christmas tree and the diamond basically work in the same way. it doesn't make a difference really which we use more.

I'd say there's more width in the Christmas tree formation, which is why it might suit Zhirkov more if he was on the left of the midfield three, playing behind Lampard.

there isn't.

IMO obviously, but I've seen both systems used by ancelotti for years. the one difference is that either the ball is played through two link players to one striker, or one link to two strikers. naturally if it's one player behind two, that player has to be a fantastic passer because 90% of the play will go through him. if it's two then you lose the extra striker and gain another route to pass the ball forward.

zhirkov could play on the left of either system because he is unlikely to be a passenger defensively.

on this forum, "lack of width" is the catch all reaction to any game in which we don't win, regardless of it's validity.

that's why when we struggle with the diamond, we lack width, and when we play well, it's because we used a system "with more width".

Edited September 3, 200916 yr by gullit4

Maybe Zhirkov's arrival has been the catalyst for Ashley Cole's improved performances this season.

No offense but Ashley had an outstanding season last season. It just a continuation of that form and really has nothing to with Mr Zhirkov's arrival IMHO.

No offense but Ashley had an outstanding season last season. It just a continuation of that form and really has nothing to with Mr Zhirkov's arrival IMHO.

No offense taken. But at least Zhirkov will keep Ashley on his toes.