PloKoon13 Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 This may be a little premature as our apparent ambition in the transfer market may lead us to make a couple more scintillating signings (mostly Brazilian attacking midfielders if the papers are to be believed), but our squad is taking on an entirely different look from the crushing physicality of the Essien-Maka days, and I wonder how each of you see us lining up in the new season, personnel-wise, formation-wise and tactics-wise. There are obviously a few ways you can look at this; the starting XI that you want, the starting XI you predict, etc. I'll leave it to your discretion to pick your team. This is clearly not an exact science, but I've tried to arrange the squad by position. Sorry if I forgot anyone or put anyone in the wrong place: GK ---- 1 Petr Cech 22 Ross Turnbull 40 Henrique Hilario RB ---- 2 Branislav Ivanovic 19 Paulo Ferreira 27 Sam Hutchinson LB ---- 3 Ashley Cole 34 Ryan Bertrand 38 Patrick Van Aanholt CB ---- 2 Branislav Ivanovic 4 David Luiz 24 Gary Cahill 26 John Terry 27 Sam Hutchinson DM ---- 5 Michael Essien 6 Oriol Romeu 12 John Obi Mikel CM ---- 5 Michael Essien 7 Ramires 8 Frank Lampard 14 Kevin De Bruyne 15 Florent Malouda 16 Raul Meireles 20 Josh McEachran 30 Yossi Benayoun RM/RW ------ 7 Ramires 17 Eden Hazard 21 Marko Marin 23 Daniel Sturridge 30 Yossi Benayoun LM/LW ------- 10 Juan Mata 14 Kevin De Bruyne 15 Florent Malouda 21 Marko Marin 23 Daniel Sturridge 44 Gael Kakuta AM/SS ----- 10 Juan Mata 15 Florent Malouda 16 Raul Meireles 17 Eden Hazard 20 Josh McEachran 30 Yossi Benayoun 44 Gael Kakuta CF ---- 9 Fernando Torres 18 Romelu Lukaku 23 Daniel Sturridge [i'll probably set up a poll later on, when we have a better idea of what the squad will look like. Presumably we'll have a far better idea of it after the Community Shield.]
Zeta Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 ---------------------------Cech ---Ivan----------Cahill----------Terry--------Cole ---------------------------Mikel ---------------Ramires-----------Lampard --Hazard-------------------------------------Mata --------------------------Torres
jack_super_class Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 GK Cech RB Ivan LB Cole CB Terry CB Luiz DM Lampard DM Mikel LM Hazard ACM Mata RM Ramires CF Torres
Zeta Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 For me, I'd have Cahill in ahead of Luiz most of the time. Luiz is still a bit of a worry whenever he's on the pitch, I think Cahill is far more solid. That being said, Terry is getting on now and won't play every game, so a CB partnership of Cahill & Luiz should be fine most of the time.
Ballack & Blu Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 ....................... Cech Ivan..............cahill.....Terry...........Cole ..................luiz............lampard Ramires...........Hazzard.........Mata ................... Torres Luiz is to good footballer to leave out of my XI, and without proper back 4 duties i could see him being played like a Mattheus type, oscar to come in will upset the mix, and willian or hulk will push ramires down the order.
JMaher94 Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 Cech Ivanovic Terry Cahill Cole Mikel Lampard Ramires Mata Hazard Torres
chelseabootboy Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 ....................... Cech Ivan..............cahill.....Terry...........Cole ..................luiz............lampard Ramires...........Hazzard.........Mata ................... Torres Luiz is to good footballer to leave out of my XI, and without proper back 4 duties i could see him being played like a Mattheus type, oscar to come in will upset the mix, and willian or hulk will push ramires down the order. he was our best player last season i think he's 1 of the first names on the team sheet he's an untouchable at the moment.
timetowaste Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 (edited) ....................... Cech............................ Ivan...........Luiz..........Terry...........Cole ..................Mikel (unfortunately)............De Bruyne Ramires (unfortunately)...........Hazard.........Mata ...................Torres................... When I say unfortunately for Ramires it's because I don't rate him as a RW, he's better as a CM but doesn't fit into the system. Mikel on the other hand I'm just not a fan of. Edited July 22, 2012 by timetowaste
Ozztheboss Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 Cech Ivanovic Terry Cahill Cole Mikel Lampard Ramires Mata Hazard Torres
Granticus Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 Mikel on the other hand I'm just not a fan of. Believe it or not I've picked up on that. I'm not entirely sure that we have a strongest XI. I think the team and tactics will depend on who we play.
The Moos Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 Cech Ivan - Cahill - Terry - Cole Lampard - Mikel Ramires - Hazard - Mata (those two will switch positions) Torres Are any of Mata, Hazard or Marin good as right wing? Would not mind seeing one of them there.
Blue Charm Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 (edited) With the squad as it is right now, my lineup would be: ....................... Cech............................ Ivan...........Luiz..........Terry...........Cole .......................Romeu................. ............Ramires.......Lampard....... Hazard......................................Mata ......................Torres................... Hazard/Mata would be allowed to roam freely, behind Torres. In attack Ramires can run up the right side, from deep, allowing Hazard to tuck in behind Torres. Then the formation looks like the one picked by timetowaste. I can imagine something like this being implemented (more likely with Mikel than Romeu). The shape of the team would be fairly rigid in defence but very fluid in attack. Edited July 22, 2012 by Blue Charm
AlwaysRight Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 I don't think we'll be going back to the old 4-3-3 system we played since Mourinho days, it seems RDM prefers 4-2-3-1. I'm gonna make the assumption Oscar is 99% sure to sign for us after having a medical and according to his agent I think we'd made the best offer of any interested party. So I think we will line up as follows... -------------Cech---------------- ------------------------------------ Iva-----Cahill---Terry-----Cole ----------------------------------- --------Mikel------------------ ------------------Oscar--------- Sturridge----Mata----Hazard -------------Torres------------- I'm assuming Oscar will be used to play creatively from a deeper role than he's used to, as there's no way I can see him ousting Hazard or Mata as the most advanced CM and a £25m player doesn't normally warm the bench. I do wonder though if Marin could play on the right in place of Sturridge, he looked really impressive on his debut out on the left. One thing I can say though is this season our 'best' 11 is VERY hard to select, we have a great squad again now if the last couple of our transfer targets sign and we haven't had this much of a selection headache since our first and 2nd Premiership title winning seasons.
dan_cfc Posted July 22, 2012 Posted July 22, 2012 ----------------------Cech--------------------------- ----Ivanovic-----Cahill----Terry-------Cole------ ---------------Mikel---Lampard-------------------- -----Ramires------Mata--------Hazard----------- ---------------------Torres---------------------------
Coxy Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 We're in huge trouble if we don't sign another quality striker. Torres shouldn't be asked to shoulder the entire workload up front this season, especially with the amount of competitions we are in.
Greg_cfc_4life Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 ---------------------Cech----------------- Ivanovic---David Luiz---Terry---Cole -------------Ramires---Oscar----------- ----Marin-------Hazard------Mata------ ------------------Torres------------------ Apparently Oscar can play in the deep lying midfielder playmaker position. When and if he comes play him in there next to Rami.
Spiller86 Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 Best team right now is pretty similar to the end of last season: (4-2-3-1): Cech, Ivan, Luiz/Cahill (toss up in my book), JT, Ash, Mikel, Lamps, Ramires, Mata, Hazard, Torres. Strength in depth is always the key. Oscar (assuming we get a result), Hazard and Marin will all take a little time to settle. Mata for example will be better given he won't be our entire focus, and presumably the addition of some creators will help Torres as well. My concern is we perhaps lack a little physical strength. Say what you like about the Nasri's and Silva's, Toure's power drove that team forward last season. With Drogba gone, Essien brittle and Mikel not really one for imposing his will we might lack a little strength in certain areas. Perhaps the extra guile added by some of the smaller players will help, but you need a mix and we might need to address that balance a little.
smileysmiles Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 Options are great and we have loads this year I think. .................................... Cech........................................... Ivan/AN Other...........Luiz..........Cahill/Terry...........Cole/Ryan ............................................Romeu............................................ .........................Ramires.......Lampard................................. Hazard.....................................................................Mata.. ...................................Torres........................................... Or .................................... Cech........................................... Ivan/AN Other...........Luiz..........Cahill/Terry...........Cole/Ryan ............................................Romeu............................................ ................................Lampard/Ramires................................ Hazard...........................Mata....................................KDB. ...................................Torres...........................................
loz Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 We're in huge trouble if we don't sign another quality striker. Torres shouldn't be asked to shoulder the entire workload up front this season, especially with the amount of competitions we are in. Maybe not huge trouble but I think some trouble would be a fair comment. We are pretty much going into a season with one out and out centre forward who has flattered to deceive for seasons now. Sturridge has been played out of position for so long that he might struggle to fill in for Torres on an occasional basis and Lukaku looks like he needs a season or two on loan to try and improve some of the basics. Given how much money we are spending on the likes of Hazard, probably Oscar and possibly one or two others it does seem quite a gamble to put all our eggs in the Torres basket.
Remodez Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 (edited) Needs more Romeu and Cahill & Luiz partnerships. Agree with pretty much everything else everyone has lined up though, no point me repeating it. Would also have Ryan ahead of Cole to be honest but Cole did redeem himself towards the end of the season so it's a tough call. Edited July 23, 2012 by Remodez
smileysmiles Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 (edited) Maybe not huge trouble but I think some trouble would be a fair comment. We are pretty much going into a season with one out and out centre forward who has flattered to deceive for seasons now. Sturridge has been played out of position for so long that he might struggle to fill in for Torres on an occasional basis and Lukaku looks like he needs a season or two on loan to try and improve some of the basics. Given how much money we are spending on the likes of Hazard, probably Oscar and possibly one or two others it does seem quite a gamble to put all our eggs in the Torres basket. I agree we will have enough Attacking mid fielders to field a spainesque type of team if needed, Give Stug the chance to be No2 to Torres, if he cannot cut it then he cannot complain. Only purchases we need are a cover Right back and a left winger depending if we are trusting to KDB or not. Edited July 23, 2012 by smileysmiles
TrojanMan Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 ----------------------------------------------Cech------------------------------------------------- --Ivanovic-------------------Cahill---------------------Terry-------------------------Cole----- -----------------------------Mikel--------------------------Lampard----------------------------- ----Ramires-----------------------------Hazard-----------------------------------Mata------- ----------------------------------------------Torres------------------------------------------------ I would get Luiz in at CB a fair amount, both because I love the way he plays, and because I think JT will need more time off as he gets older. Depending on opponent/situation, I'd also get Ramires some time in either Mikel's or Lampard's spot, and Marin/Sturridge on the right. For all the talk of Ramires not being a natural RAM (and I agree), he still produces. He had the assist on our only goal last night.
comtrend Posted July 24, 2012 Posted July 24, 2012 (edited) Away and against top teams: --------------------------Cech--------------------------- Iva--------------Cahill-----------Terry/Luiz----------Cole ----------------Mikel-----------Oscar/Lamps------------- "Marin"/Ramires-----------Mata---------><-------Hazard --------------------------Torres------------------------------ Home: --------------------------Cech------------------------------ Iva--------------Cahill-----------Terry/Luiz----------Cole ----------------Lamps-------Ramires-----r------------- Mata----------><--------Oscar--------------------Hazard -----------------------Torres------------------------------- Edited July 24, 2012 by comtrend
Blues Brothers Posted July 24, 2012 Posted July 24, 2012 GK: Cech RB:Ivanovic CB: Cahill CB: Terry LB: Cole DM: Luiz DM: Lampard RAM: Ramires CAM: Mata LAM: Hazard ST: Torres
coco Posted July 24, 2012 Posted July 24, 2012 I hope Robbie will be ruthless with the players that do not perform or keep up with the pace needed to go a full season, if Torres is not banging them in by October expect changes, if the older players get done for pace too often they will have to be replaced in the starting line up, we could end up with a first team something like this..... -----------------------Cech Ivanovic------Cahill-----Luiz-----Cole ------------------------Mikel --------------Ramires -------------------------Hazard ------Oscar------------------------Marin ----------------------Lukaku Subs: Terry--Lampard--Piazon--Mata--Torres
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