Carlo Ancelotti has revealed his intention to change Chelsea’s formation next month in an attempt to deal with the absence of Didier Drogba during the African Cup of Nations.

The Chelsea manager plans to use Nicolas Anelka as a lone striker, with Joe Cole and Deco providing support from the flanks and Frank Lampard spearheading a three-man midfield.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle6965727.ece

First i doubt that Carlo would just tell a random reporter how he expects to play without the African players so maybe should take this with a huge handful of salt. But its an interesting idea, though i would rather see Malouda than Deco and Im fairly doubtful that Anelka could play the lone striker too well. it is the kind of formation where that would see Lampard back in his favourite role so that would be a plus but i simply cant see this working.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle6965727.ece

First i doubt that Carlo would just tell a random reporter how he expects to play without the African players so maybe should take this with a huge handful of salt. But its an interesting idea, though i would rather see Malouda than Deco and Im fairly doubtful that Anelka could play the lone striker too well. it is the kind of formation where that would see Lampard back in his favourite role so that would be a plus but i simply cant see this working.

If, and that's a big if, this story is true, then I won't bother watching Chelsea again until Drogs returns. As you say though, I can't imagine any manager telling the press what system he's gonna play for the next two months.

Joe Cole and Deco providing support from the flanks

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

If, IF we're going to do this, I would rather see Kakuta on one side of the front 3 in place of either Deco or Joe. We'd need some sort of pace and a Joe-Deco combo is horrifically one paced.

.

This worries me more - well the second bit

“I think England have six ‘top’ players, by which I mean players who could walk into any national side worldwide. There’s my three: Lampard, Terry and Ashley Cole, then there’s Rio Ferdinand, who’s not having a good time of it right now, but who is a great defender. Then Gerrard, and I’d put Rooney in too.â€

Any formation we use without Drogba in it is going to be considerably weaker. I would hope he is willing to change things around as need be and given that most of our players are familiar with 4-3-3 it is always an option. Much also depends on who we sign in January...Aguero frequently operates in the lone striker role and an interchangabilty with Nic could be interesting.

Yes! I wanted to post something like this but I didn't know where.

Personally I wouldn't mind a 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation with Anelka up front. Zhirkov and Cole to provide width, Malouda Ballack and Lampard to be the middle three. Our usual back four. Not only do I think this is our best formation without Drogba (well, it's still unproven but it sounds good), but the likes of Kakuta would also have a better chance of getting play time considering he can play both on the left wing and on the right.

Why would you put Deco as a winger? Joey Cole used to play on the left in Mourinho's 4-3-3, but he's hardly on blistering form now, and we've got Zhirkov who is tailor-made for the role. We should give serious consideration to recalling Miroslav Stoch and sticking him on the right wing. He's got pace to spare and he's even managed to play well in a side managed by Steve McLaren.

If there is any shred to truth to this, I too think it will be Zhirkov will be a starter. In his first 18 minutes in the league, he nearly created two great chances, and just generally looked dangerous.

Maybe sending Joe back outside to work his magic might be the boot in the ass he needs.

I think this would work

This may not be such a bad thing after all, as long as Deco doesn't get picked.

-Lampard should get his starring role back, and thus should return to form.

-It should mean more playing time for Matic, Malouda and Zhirkov.

As much as I'd feel bad for shafting him around the front three, I wouldn't mind seeing Anelka on the right again, as I feel Sturridge would be more suited to the strong centre forward role. A front three of Zhirkov - Sturridge - Anelka wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.

If this does happen I'm actually looking forward to it. I don't dislike the diamond but who knows, maybe Deco and J.Cole together will be the whirlwind of skill and speed we've all been hoping for.

Now I might be totally off here, but I think you're misinterpreting, or perhaps the reporter is misinterpreting what Ancelotti is going to do. By support from the flanks I don't think he means as wide as we're mostly assuming. Thinking back to the Champions League when Drogba was out, didn't we play in a very similar way to that? A 4-3-2-1, Christmas tree formation, no? If Deco and Cole support Anelka, they would be wider than him, and that could be what he meant. That's just a thought though.

Yeah I think that's right, probably along the lines of

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

---------J.Cole---------Deco----------

---Malouda---Lampard----Ballack---

A.Cole---Terry--Carvalho---Ivanovic