What''s Carlo's Plan?

[fester]

I browse this site frequently mainly looking at the General and Rumours forums. I read with interest about players we're linked with but as someone who only really watches the EPL and Chelsea CL games I rarely know a whole lot about them and don't really trust the YouTube highlights packages as a true reflection of what a player can offer week-in week-out. However, what I am interested in knowing is what people really think Carlo's close season plans are? Is he looking to continue to play 4-3-3 or will he adjust the squad to allow him to play his apparently favoured diamond formation?

I suspect that given the revolving door of managers we've had since Jose that Carlo's brief was to prove himself with the players he had in his first season - something he did admirably by winning the double. He tried his diamond, but couldn't get it to function with the personnel at his disposal, so he reverted to 4-3-3. Now he's proven himself it appears likely that he will be allowed to start tailoring the squad to meet his requirements, but what direction is that?

If we stay 4-3-3 then what do we need? Not a lot in my opinion, given Carlo's indication that he will be promoting from the youth set-up this year. I think we have Jack Cork (performed well on loan at Burnley), Matic and Mancienne (?) to provide cover for Lamps, Mikel & Essien plus Yuri & Malouda can do a job there as well. In defence I think we're OK with cover even if Ricky leaves we have JT, Alex & Ivan at centreback with Bruma and Mancienne who could fill in if required. However, upfront I think we need to add some invention, from what I've seen Aguero would be more suited to that role that Torres, but I think it's in the forward area that any big money will be spent if we stay 4-3-3.

If Carlo reverts to his diamond then I think more activity is needed in the market as we have no obvious tip of the diamond player at the club (it's too early for Kakuta I suspect), so be need someone for that role in the mid-term until Kakuta and/or McEachran are ready to step up. I'm not sure who we should target for that posiition. Also if we're playing two up-front have we got enough quality cover there or is that where the Torres link comes in?

I think this uncertainty is what makes this summer so exciting. I also think now is the time to move on from Jose's team which it what we've really had for the last few years and bring some new player in (or on through the youth ranks). Releasing Joe, Ballack and Belletti, along with the potential departues of Ricky and Deco will start this transition, but its the how and with who their places are taken is what make this pre-season so interesting.

What do you all think?

[Eggy McMuffin]

I agree with almost all of that. If we go with the 4-3-3, we would need either Aguero, or Silva to play on the right (ok, we could have anyone who could play there, but they're my preferences :blush: ). If we go with the diamond, I think we'd need a player for the tip of the diamond (Silva) AND a player up front (Aguero? :blush: ).

Heavy amount of bias there, but I don't care. :D

[scottish born chelsea blue]

id like too see a new formation when the 433 has realisticly been a 451 but with nic out wide and out of postion and then drogs got the work load

at times last season the fiamond worked though i do have my own prefrence for the tip of it i like the kid that plays at lyon not sure of his name but saw them in the champs league and he looked good

[Randy36]

Carlo is not the type of manager prone to sweeping changes but he has made some subtle refinements to a very talented squad. He has succeeded in playing Drogba and Anelka up front when all the pundits maintained the combination would never gel. Malouda attributes his own marked improvement to the confidence Carlo has in him and has become a tremendous thrust down the left flank. Kalou has shown remarkable improvement under Carlo. Yuri has been used in left midfield on occasions and is demonstrating how successful he is in that role. Carlo has also revealed how shrewd a manager he really is by altering the mindset of the players and keeping them relaxed and confident. He has reverted fom his diamond formation to a 4-3-3 which has proved quite successful. I believe the formations he will use next season will alter with the circumstances and the oppositiion. Much will depend on the players he brings to the Bridge. His top priority for next season most likely will be to win the Champions League.

[Bobbywoodhogan]

I hope he sticks with the 4-3-3 our players are just suited more to it.

As far as signings go I hope we sign Ageuro and a defensive midfielder as I'm not sold on Mikel. I actually have a bad feeling we're not gonna sign anyone when its clear we need too we only won the league by a point last season. Still will be nice to see the youth players get a shot i.e. Kakuta, Matic, Hutch, etc

[mad_mac]

I can't say what his intentions are, but yes I agree that this sort of enigma makes it interesting.

I'm pretty sure we'll see a couple of signings, maybe 3. One top signing, another good signing and another squad player. The rest would then be filled by youth team members and current players. Who those players are, of course none of us know; however, I do feel you have a point in the signings will be determined by the formation, rahter than the formation being determined by the players.

It seemed that the diamond was Carlo's prefered formation, and we had to change due to the ACN. However, I'd fully expect us to continue this formation due to all the youth team and the ressies playing and training in that formation (at least at the begining of the season) under Carlo's requesting.

Interesting times ahead.

[jcm28]

I think we will keep the 4-3-3 since its what gave us the title, and the diamond will be used as a plan b(something we honestly didn't have last season).

Edited June 23, 2010 by jcm28