Been reading a bit about Conte lately and if we do get him, it's possible we go to a 352. It's what he used at Juventus for much of his time there and he seems to still be using it in the Italian national team. Now I might be wrong but I think the last time we used that was under Hoddle when he came in and played the sweeper role a bit himself. If I remember correctly that was the original plan for Gullit when we signed him too before ultimately moving into midfield and being well, excellent!

 

Anyway I'm just spitballing and don't pretend to be a tactical genius but it seems to me to pose some issues but also open up some rather exciting possibilities.

 

Here's how I'm envisage it working with the current squad.

 

-------------Courtois

 

---Ivanovic---Zouma----Cahill

 

Azpi---------------------------Rahman

-------------Fabregas

 

----Loftus-Cheek-----Nobody

 

---------Hazard

-------------------Costa

 

 

In my opinion that starting XI holds some amazing possibilities, but also highlights what we're lacking in the squad to make such a system work.

 

Firstly and most importantly, we don't have the extra midfielder to make it work. That role requires dynamism and real box-to-box play and I've taken a flyer on Loftus-Cheek being able to fill one role (the Pogba role) but we need another top-class body there. Now the mooted option of Nainggolan seems absolutely ideal in filling the role Vidal would've played at Juve but what you also need is depth and that's the one thing we're already lacking. 

 

The way to fund this is by selling Matic and Mikel. Holding midfielders don't generally work in this formation because you're not looking for someone to sit there and shield the defence. Again, dynamism and a huge engine are much more important in this role.

 

The other option is to shift Oscar back into that role. There's always been those who think he could do a role deeper and he's rarely pulled up trees further forward so why not use that underrated defensive ability and tenacity in a more workmanlike role? He also has the potential to work further up the field but admittedly, you're taking a flyer on the guy becoming more consistent or excelling in a new role when the money he brings in may well be far more useful.

 

On the plus side, Fabregas is put into the possibly the best position for him. The 'Pirlo-role' of pulling the strings from deep seems tailor-made for him although his defensive-frailties don't disappear overnight. In this formation he becomes the key to everything working when we're in possession of the ball - he takes most touches, he dictates tempo and he sets everything into motion. That is an exciting prospect.

 

You also need defenders capable of bringing the ball out of defence and I think you could do a lot worse than Ivanovic and Cahill (pause for laughter). Neither is the second coming of Der Kaiser but neither is a hoof-merchant. The most glaring issue is that the third defender in that backline can't actually walk at the moment so you're looking at buying at least two new centre-halves IF we don't re-sign JT and IF we don't recall Christensen (perfect in this formation) or Papy. Miazga is an unknown quantity at this moment and I haven't even bothered to add to the guy to my computer's dictionary so I'm definitely not counting on him being the missing link.

 

What was key to Conte's Juve side were the wing-backs. Again, workrate is key here because they're providing width in the attack but also supporting the defenders and I can certainly see Azpi and Rahman having the potential to do well here. I also lquite ike the idea of Kenedy taking the Asamoah-role and building on the role he had under Jose once or twice as full-back-cum-winger.

 

Up top Costa is perfect. He leads the line, he works hard and he's a brilliant focal point to build around. Nothing to say here really.

 

Behind him though is perhaps the most exciting thought - Eden Hazard as a proper number 10.

 

The guy's hero is Zidane so let's put him in that role. No more running up and down the wing, we're going to have two midfield dynamos behind you, engines on the wing and a beast up-front allowing you space, time and freedom to latch on to those balls from Cesc and do your thing with the whole pitch open in front of you. If you get tired then we have Willian waiting in the wings, or maybe as a more offensive wing-back, and maybe even Oscar. It might even be enough to wake the guy up from his slumber and apparent disillusionment. 

 

 

Yes there's a need for players in key areas for it to function, primarily in defence and midfield, but you have assets you can move on in Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Pedro and even some of the loan army.

 

Speaking of those on loan, Cuadrado maybe gets another look-in as wing-back whilst Ake has the skill on the ball to be a left-sided centre-back or even wing-back. Looking longer-term, Baker has the vision and technique to maybe back-up Cesc whilst Solanke, DaSilva, Aina, Abraham, Clarke-Salter and maybe a few others have the profile to work in this system.

 

That's just a few thoughts I had but amidst the doom and gloom it's nice to have something positive on the horizon and I welcome any thoughts from those more tactically-inclined than I am.

I think hazard would become expendable if conte came. He doesn't score enough goals to play as a second striker, and I don't think he would be good enough defensively to play either wide or centrally. Maybe go with something like this:

---------------Courtois

-

----------Ivanovic-zouma-ake

-

Willian--------fabregas----------baba

-

----------Gundogan-----xhaka

-

-------------Costa----cavani

It would probably mean us selling hazard and oscar, and azpiliucueta would only play in games where we needed a more defensive wing back.

I think right and left centre back need to be comfortable defending wide which cahill isn't.

Edited February 19, 201610 yr by big blue

Three man defence tends not to work too well in the Premier League, couple of managers, most recently LVG have tried and failed to successfully implement it.

Can see Conte adapting his tactics personally.

Hazard being sold is something I could definitely see happening and it gives us the resources to make massive changes, as well as going with the conventional strikers you've suggested. Cavani's a good shout and there's probably a few other names out there.

 

Good point on Cahill's ability out-wide but I kinda like Azpi going forward so I'd keep him in there no matter what. He definitely has the engine. The midfielders you've chucked in there are good shouts though.

 

 

Three man defence tends not to work too well in the Premier League, couple of managers, most recently LVG have tried and failed to successfully implement it.

Can see Conte adapting his tactics personally.

 

It's got it's limitations like any formation, specifically in the area behind the wing-backs which are open to wingers exploiting them. Also if you don't give any time to Fabregas then you limit what he's able to do in the game (Oscar did this expertly when we played Juve at home a few seasons back - Conte responded magnificently in the return game though).

 

If you have the quality though there's no reason for it not to work. Van Gaal has been unfortunate to lose Shaw because he was key to that left-hand side working and his sides seem to play with a lot lower intensity than Conte's did. I think that's a fundamental difference between the two, but it may just be that the hustle of the Premier League isn't conducive to this approach. 

I think our squad is too heavily stacked with attacking midfielders to switch to a wing back system.

Personally I don't think playing the likes of Pedro, Willian, Kenedy, Traore, Hazard, Moses as a wing back is going to be a long term solution for the side.

We would be square peg, round holing it with team selection.

I think our squad is too heavily stacked with attacking midfielders to switch to a wing back system.

Personally I don't think playing the likes of Pedro, Willian, Kenedy, Traore, Hazard, Moses as a wing back is going to be a long term solution for the side.

We would be square peg, round holing it with team selection.

 

Again, totally agree and that was why I was against Conte.

 

From that list I'd sell Pedro and Moses, move Kenedy to wing-back, have Traore as a striker and possibly use Hazard and Willian as number 10s. The other option is to use Willian as wing-back as big blue suggested and sell Hazard.

 

The bigger issue is the lack of central midfielders but you do have the assets listed above to move on. There's also the possibility that the club puts some new money into the squad.

Conte is a flexible tactician, yes 352 is his preferred formations, it isn't is only. I'm sure he can utilize the players we have into his preferred system or any new system he wants to play without having to sell key players.

Forever Carefree already mentioned same.

Conte is a flexible tactician, yes 352 is his preferred formations, it isn't is only. I'm sure he can utilize the players we have into his preferred system or any new system he wants to play without having to sell key players.

 

True, but this is a few thoughts based on the idea that he does want to implement the formation he used at Juve and still seems to be using with the national team.

 

This idea of key players is interesting though. If they don't fit his ideas then they aren't key to what we want to do are they? As it is the players I've suggested we sell are Mikel, Matic, Pedro, Oscar and fringe players. The biggest name to come up is Eden Hazard, a player who there is plenty of speculation already about.

 

The club have already looked to move on from JT apparently, so I'm not sure if there are any sacred cows left yet this tactic still builds on some foundations already in place, specifically Courtois, Fabregas and Costa. 

 

If we're not interested in backing a manager who seems to like playing a certain way, you have to ask why we're even supposedly interested in him.

Fabregas being used a lone holding midfielder in front of the back four would be a disaster defensively. 

 

We do not currently have a team capable of pulling off a 3-5-2. 

 

We don't have Chiellini, Barzagli and Bonucci. 

 

I doubt Conte comes in and forces that formation on this squad. Italian football is different and I hope he is smart enough to recognize that.

 

I think my preferred manager at this time is Pellegrini. He knows what he needs to do to win in the EPL and he employs an attractive system that would be a smooth transition for what we have already.

Edited February 19, 201610 yr by Saaladin

I think my preferred manager at this time is Pellegrini. He knows what he needs to do to win in the EPL and he employs an attractive system that would be a smooth transition for what we have already.

 

Christ Almighty, no! I would seriously consider football-hibernation if that happens. Incredibly mediocre manager that has underperformed terribly with City. Oh and he's a City-reject. What kind of message would that send to the players and fans.

Fabregas being used a lone holding midfielder in front of the back four would be a disaster defensively. 

 

 

He's not a holding midfielder in the sense that we have used here. The fact is that you have 5 defenders (3 central and 2 wing-backs) to do the bulk of that work as well as the two box-to-box midfielders next to him.

 

 

We do not currently have a team capable of pulling off a 3-5-2. 

 

We don't have Chiellini, Barzagli and Bonucci. 

 

 

We also don't have a team capable of 433 or 4231 particularly well. Whatever happens we need to spend money.

 

 

I think my preferred manager at this time is Pellegrini. He knows what he needs to do to win in the EPL and he employs an attractive system that would be a smooth transition for what we have already.

 

Really? Pellegrini is up there with Rodgers as one of the most backwards moves we could make. If you're willing to spend a truckload of money whilst waiting for your true love to become available, yeah sure why not? But for any of our ambitions, he would be the most underwhelming appointment you could make. 

Edited February 19, 201610 yr by ShedEnder91

He's not a holding midfielder in the sense that we have used here. The fact is that you have 5 defenders (3 central and 2 wing-backs) to do the bulk of that work as well as the two box-to-box midfielders next to him.

 

 

We also don't have a team capable of 433 or 4231 particularly well. Whatever happens we need to spend money.

 

 

Really? Pellegrini is up there with Rodgers as one of the most backwards moves we could make. If you're willing to spend a truckload of money whilst waiting for your true love to become available, yeah sure why not? But for any of our ambitions, he would be the most underwhelming appointment you could make. 

 

Why is Pellegrini a bad appointment? 

 

He has won a lot with City has he not? He also plays an attacking brand of football that our players would enjoy. Pellegrini has always had good tactics and we could use a manager that frees up his players. 

 

Get Pellegrini and buy Juan Mata back when Mourinho sells him.

Why is Pellegrini a bad appointment?

He has won a lot with City has he not? He also plays an attacking brand of football that our players would enjoy. Pellegrini has always had good tactics and we could use a manager that frees up his players.

Get Pellegrini and buy Juan Mata back when Mourinho sells him.

I also hope that Pellegrini will get strong consideration. In addition to what you said, he'll probably be super motivated to prove himself. Then again, I'm not sure that's a good thing.

Am glad you guys aren't the ones in charge of hiring a new manager and the transfer policy else god help us this isn't Football Manager

Edited February 19, 201610 yr by Brutos

Am glad you guys aren't the ones in charge of hiring a new manager and the transfer policy else god help us this isn't Football Manager

 

A manager with a good tactical system who is well acquainted with the league and would have respect of the players is unrealistic?

Am glad you guys aren't the ones in charge of hiring a new manager and the transfer policy else god help us this isn't Football Manager

Just a bit of fun though isn't it. In all likelihood we probably won't get even conte!

a certain spanish waiter might fancy a return to the prem.....

Am glad you guys aren't the ones in charge of hiring a new manager and the transfer policy else god help us this isn't Football Manager

 

Who is that directed at if you don't mind me asking?

 

What I see here is people offering up their thoughts in a constructive manner and you just make this drive-by comment. Seems a little unfair and more than a bit pointless.

 

Why is Pellegrini a bad appointment? 

 

He has won a lot with City has he not? He also plays an attacking brand of football that our players would enjoy. Pellegrini has always had good tactics and we could use a manager that frees up his players. 

 

Get Pellegrini and buy Juan Mata back when Mourinho sells him.

 

He does play attacking football but that's his limit. He's been out-thought by a succession of managers and I honestly don't see what he would bring to this club. What I think we need is a big personality to take us on from the Mourinho-era and Pellegrini is at best a stop-gap. That's what he is at City too.

 

I think that as a club we can do better.

 

And we won't hopefully be buying Mata either. He isn't good enough to build a top-team around and to get the best out of him, you need to do that. 

i think any manager these days will just be a stop gap

Who is that directed at if you don't mind me asking?

 

What I see here is people offering up their thoughts in a constructive manner and you just make this drive-by comment. Seems a little unfair and more than a bit pointless.

 

 

He does play attacking football but that's his limit. He's been out-thought by a succession of managers and I honestly don't see what he would bring to this club. What I think we need is a big personality to take us on from the Mourinho-era and Pellegrini is at best a stop-gap. That's what he is at City too.

 

I think that as a club we can do better.

 

And we won't hopefully be buying Mata either. He isn't good enough to build a top-team around and to get the best out of him, you need to do that. 

 

I think as Chelsea fans we are conditioned to have a manager with a big personality that steals the show. 

 

But realistically speaking how many managers outside of Mourinho, Guardiola and the current liverpool manager are like that?

 

Ancelotti, Heynckes, Pochatino, Allegri, Blanc, are all low key guys who have all had degrees of success.

 

If we are looking for another Mourinho type then the answer would be Simeone. Conte I suppose would be similar, although I don't like his 352 or 442.

I think as Chelsea fans we are conditioned to have a manager with a big personality that steals the show. 

 

But realistically speaking how many managers outside of Mourinho, Guardiola and the current liverpool manager are like that?

 

Ancelotti, Heynckes, Pochatino, Allegri, Blanc, are all low key guys who have all had degrees of success.

 

If we are looking for another Mourinho type then the answer would be Simeone. Conte I suppose would be similar, although I don't like his 352 or 442.

 

I just don't rate Pellegrini as a manager. He wouldn't get the resources he had at City and I think appointing their cast-offs is the wrong message we should be sending as a club. I know not everyone will agree but he just doesn't strike me as the choice we should be making and if we do appoint him, then we really are giving up on making a proper challenge for the title whilst we construct the new stadium.

I just don't rate Pellegrini as a manager. He wouldn't get the resources he had at City and I think appointing their cast-offs is the wrong message we should be sending as a club. I know not everyone will agree but he just doesn't strike me as the choice we should be making and if we do appoint him, then we really are giving up on making a proper challenge for the title whilst we construct the new stadium.

 

Well he's definitely not an exciting choice so I understand the sentiment. 

 

Either way, will probably end up with Simeone or Conte. 

I was always under the impression that Conte actually favored the 433, he only used the 352 because of the lack of good fullbacks and wingers Huventus had. Same with Italy where they had better center backs than fullbacks and better midfielders than wingers.

Like FC said, it's far more likely he will adapt and I think it's the 433 that would be more promiment.

I think whoever gets the job needs to get some leaders in the team, thin on the ground at the moment and if JT takes more of a backroom role who is there?