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Ideal 25 man squad for next season?

JJP
in General Chelsea FC

Featured Replies

GK: Courtois, Begovic, Blackman

 

RB: Azpilicueta, Ivanovic

 

CB: Benatia, Zouma, Cahill

 

LB: Ake, Rahman

 

CM: Nainggolan, Fabregas, Pjanic, Loftus-Cheek, Mikel

 

AM: Willian, Hazard, Pedro, Traore, Kennedy

 

CF: Costa, Lacazette, Pato

 

 

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

 

Azpi--------Zouma-----Benatia-------Ake

 

-----Nainggolan-----------Fabregas

 

--------------------Pjanic

 

Lacazette------------------------Hazard

 

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

 

 

The defence I think is definitely obtainable. The only purchase we would have to make is Benatia who may fall out of favour at Bayern if they sign Hummels. Ake should be recalled and given a shot. He's PL proven. Him and Rahman can fight it out for the LB position. I think there's a lot of flexibility in this defence with Azpi being able to play RB and LB, Ake is able to play LB and CB, Ivanovic is able to play RB and CB and Kennedy can even play LB.

 

The midfield is a tricky one but after some reconsideration I think Pjanic and Fabregas can work in the same lineup. Pjanic would essentially be replacing Oscar as a central attacking midfielder while Cesc plays the deeper role next to Radja. Against 'bigger' teams we would drop Cesc and play a midfield three of Radja-Pjanic-RLC. I would love to see RLC pushing Cesc for a spot in the lineup. I would also cash in on Oscar and Matic. Mikel stays because he can come on to play a role and doesn't complain about sitting on the bench. The only issue we would have is trying to steal Roma's two best players who are both CMs.

 

Attacking midfield is essentially what we already have although Lacazette can play on the right wing and put pressure on Willian. I think he's more of a goal scoring threat and would have him ahead of Willian in that position anyway. I don't want Cuadrado anywhere near this team again. He can't handle the physicality of the Premier League. He's suited to Spain or Italy.

 

Obviously get rid of Remy and Falcao but I think we should extend Pato's loan. If he gets his match fitness up he could be quality depth. There wouldn't be many teams that have a better third option than Pato. Costa would be first and Lacazette second choice. Traore could also play up top as well.

GK - Courtois, Begovic, Blackman

FB - Azpi, Rodriguez, Ivanovic

CB - JT, Bonucci, Cahill, Zouma

CM - Naingollan or Bazoer, Kante, Matic, Chalobah, Loftus-Cheek, Fabregas

AM - Willian, Hazard, Oscar, Kenedy, Pedro

CF - Diego, Mandzukic, Bamford, Traore

Forgot to include Perisic, unlikely to happen but ideally i'd like to see;

 

GK - Courtois, Begovic, Blackman (HG)

FB - Azpi, Rodriguez, Ivanovic, Dasilva (U21)

CB - JT (HG), Bonucci, Cahill (HG), Zouma, Tomori/Clarke-Salter (U21)

CM - Naingollan, Kante, Matic, Chalobah (HG), Hector (HG), Fabregas (HG), Loftus-Cheek (U21)

AM - Willian, Hazard, Oscar, Perisic, Pedro, Baker (U21)

CF - Diego, Mandzukic, Bamford (HG), Traore, Brown (U21)

 

IN

Rodriguez, Bonucci (or Benatia/Howedes/Manolas), Naingollan (or Bazoer), Kante, Perisic, Mandzukic

 

OUT

Ake (another year at Watford), Miazga (loan to Vitesse), Kenedy (loan to Italy), Moses, Piazon, Mikel, Remy, Falcao, Pato, Rahman (part ex for Rodriguez), Marin, Djilowhateverthef**khisnameis, Cuevas

Edited by the special one

I think, we should go with a 4-3-3 formation. It suits our players much more than the current 4-2-31. Also, we need runners in the middle of the park. Cesc-matic simply dont cut it. With Radja we are getting one runner and tackler, now need another. I would love if we get someone like Gundogan. I know he has a history with injuries, but before that, he was brilliant this season. I personally would take him in an heart beat.

Another thing is selling the dead wood and the "squad players". Each of the "squad position" needs to go to the most successful academy for the last 6 years. Its time we took a gamble. 

For the past 6 years, we have been in transition. We have no identity, we have no stability, we have no youth players coming through the ranks, now we have no european football. Despite continously putting in 100million pounds every year ( £475,959,000 in the last 5 years) yet we have been going from bad to worse. in 2007 and 2008 we were one of the best teams in the world and again, despite continously putting in millions of pounds, we are now not only out of the list of elite clubs but also out of the elite competition. I think its safe to say that we need a change. We need a change of approach, of mentality, of attitude.

No more buying marins, moses, cuadrados, salahs, pedros, oscars. I personally have had ENOUGH of this.

 

GK:

Courtois

Begovic (HG)

Blackman (HG)

 

Defence:

Zouma

Bonucci

Andreas (HG)

Baba

Ake (HG)

Azpi

Aina (HG)

Jake Clarke Salter (HG)

 

Centre Mid's:

Gundogan

RLC (HG)

Nainggolan

Matic

Baker (HG)

Pasalic

 

Forwards:

Willian

Kenedy (HG)

Hazard

Musonda (HG)

Costa

Traore (HG)

 

Outs - Pedro (10mil), Oscar (20mil), Cesc (10mil), Moses (5mil), Marin (0), Mikel (0), JT (0), GC (5mil), Remy (5mil), Pato (End of loan), Falcao (End of loan).

Ins - Bonucci (20mil), Radja (30mil - rumored), Gundogan (30-40mil).

 

This would be my ideal team for the next season.

Hazard Costa Willian

Radja Matic Gundogan

Ake Bonucci Zouma/Andreas Azpi

Courtois

Wow £10m for Fabregas still has a bit of a grudge I think, personally I don't see why he would want him to go but if he did go it would be for a lot more than £10m. Otherwise I like the squad all though it is potentially short a striker. 

Wow £10m for Fabregas still has a bit of a grudge I think, personally I don't see why he would want him to go but if he did go it would be for a lot more than £10m. Otherwise I like the squad all though it is potentially short a striker. 

Honestly, I have taken the least expected value for any player we sell. For eg: I think GC will fetch more. His "English" tag (as well for moses) itself would be 5mil each. I have not even included the likes of Salah and Cuadrado. I just hope we dont see any more penny pinching from the club for the 1st team upgrades.

 

Forgot to include Perisic, unlikely to happen but ideally i'd like to see;
 
GK - Courtois, Begovic, Blackman (HG)
FB - Azpi, Rodriguez, Ivanovic, Dasilva (U21)
CB - JT (HG), Bonucci, Cahill (HG), Zouma, Tomori/Clarke-Salter (U21)
CM - Naingollan, Kante, Matic, Chalobah (HG), Hector (HG), Fabregas (HG), Loftus-Cheek (U21)
AM - Willian, Hazard, Oscar, Perisic, Pedro, Baker (U21)
CF - Diego, Mandzukic, Bamford (HG), Traore, Brown (U21)
 
IN
Rodriguez, Bonucci (or Benatia/Howedes/Manolas), Naingollan (or Bazoer), Kante, Perisic, Mandzukic
 
OUT
Ake (another year at Watford), Miazga (loan to Vitesse), Kenedy (loan to Italy), Moses, Piazon, Mikel, Remy, Falcao, Pato, Rahman (part ex for Rodriguez), Marin, Djilowhateverthef**khisnameis, Cuevas

 

 

Solid squad, though I doubt we will ever buy that many players. You are looking at a spend of atleast 150-180m to get all those players.

 

Secondly, The youth players will never get a chance if we had that many options.

 

Also, this squad is over the CL restrictions by one player I think.

Anyone who thinks Traore can be our second choice striker is deluded

Thoughts on Lacazette? I reckon he'd be a good purchase. Can play up top with Costa, play as a striker if Costa is injured or play on the right wing.

I haven't put any real thought into this (and thinking of 25 is a full time job), but I would love us to get a tough midfield in place. I'm sure that they'll be too expensive or old or not Conte type players or something but Vidal and that Verratti lad would be just what we need with Fabregas to do the fancy stuff. From what I've seen of them (which granted isn't a lot) they look hard as nails whilst able to pass a football as well. Maybe the only drawback is they're not very tall, but then that hasn't helped Mikel and Matic much.And that leap last night at the back post by Vidal was brilliant - reminiscent of Frank Sinclair or David Speedie.

Thoughts on Lacazette? I reckon he'd be a good purchase. Can play up top with Costa, play as a striker if Costa is injured or play on the right wing.

 

Haven't seen him play that much, seems to be highly rated though.

 

23 in 42 this season, I think he would definitely come to Chelsea as well. See how he does at the euros I guess

Where to now?  The “José” team is no more, sad, but inevitable.  Unfortunately, we seemed to allow the Drogba, Lamps, Terry and Cech spine to reach its sell-by date without planning for the succession.  Now in comes Conte to a squad with some excellent proven players in it (Costa, Hazard, Willian, Fabegas) and a host of younger talent that needs to be blended into a new team.  With the inevitable addition of some new players.  

 

I would like to see some of the kids blended into the team, not just “training with the squad”.  I’ve identified a few below, but there a many more, let’s just give them chance and give the club some identity back.

 

I know little of Conte the manager, I hope he plays a positive style of football, focused on playing our own game rather than stopping the opposition playing theirs.  Word seems to be that he likes 3-5-2.  I like the idea of two strikers, hopefully one of them will be in the box when a cross goes in.  So who?  Costa and who else?  I’d like to think Abraham, Bamford or Solanki might get a chance, but I suspect we’ll see a “big name” come in, Cavani or Higuan would be my choice.  I also suspect we may keep Pato.

 

Given in 3-5-2 the wide men are wingbacks how does that work with Hazard?  Willian works hard, as does Kenedy so I see them fitting in, but Hazard?  Maybe as a number 10, then where does Fabregas fit in?  So many questions.  What about RLC and Van Ginkel?  We need at least one bully in midfield, possibly that Roma guy Nainggollen.

 

So now to the three at the back.  Zouma’s in.  It’s a shame Christensen is on a two year loan to Munchengladbach, but I think Ake could fit in on the left.  On the right of a three could Ivan do a job?  How does Dave fit into the new system?  I think we need to buy a new CB to play with Zouma and Ake.  Not sure who, but not Stones for that role, if we buy Stones we still need another experienced CB.

 

In goal then?  I am happy with TC, but media reports he’s not happy.  If TC does go the we should buy Forster from Southampton.  I think Forster would be good competition for Begovic and that could motivate both keepers to better things.

 

So assuming Conte plays 3-5-2 that makes my team:

 

Forster: Zouma, new CB, Ake; Willian, Nainggollen, RLC, Hazard, Kenedy;  Costa, Cavani.

 

2nd XI:

 

Begovic; Ivan, Cahill, MIazga; Dave, Fabregas, Van Ginkel, Matic/Mikel, Cudrado;  Solanki, Pato.

 

I would keep Baba, Brown, Traore, Clarke-Salter, Palmer and a few other youngsters in the squad, but they would need to be getting some game time too.  Third choice keeper would be Blackman or Collins.  So what of: Oscar, Pedro, Remy?  Along with the sale of Cortois and one of Mikel or Matic they would help fund the new purchases: an experienced CB (?), a skilful midfield enforcer (Nainggollen) and another experienced striker (Cavani or Higuan).

 

How would my team fare in the league?  OK I think, depends how quickly they adjust to Conte’s tactical ideas.  Ideally the new CB would be someone who has experience of the system to provide defensive stability.   There are tactical options by changing the wide players, more defensive (Dave and Baba) or more attacking (William and Cudrado).  Whatever happens I’m expecting an interesting season ahead.

Edited by fester

I think 3-5-2 would work out poorly in all honesty, reminds me of when we got Scolari and we changed up our formation it worked for a bit but then it fell apart and we reverted to type. People actually forget we did the same in 2009-10 aswel the Christmas tree formation worked for a period then teams worked us and we reverted back to 4-3-3 and smashed our way to the double.

When has a 352 really worked in the premier recently? I saw West Ham play it in the first half against Arsenal and was horrendous at the back, went back to 4 at the back the second half.

Rodgers used it at Liverpool but wasn't successful. I can only see it being good as a formation change during matches etc.

When has a 352 really worked in the premier recently?

 

Leicester during their relegation recovery last season, although that was more of a 3-4-1-2: (Schmeichel; Wasilewski, Huth, Morgan; Albrighton, Cambiasso, James, Schlupp; Mahrez; Vardy, Ulloa)

 

What formation did AVB have us playing?

I remember we seemed to get ripped to shreds at the back every other week.

 

As I recall we played a 4-3-3 under AVB but with Meireles or Romeu holding. I think the problem defensively was that we were positioned aggressively without the midfield being anywhere near proactive enough off the ball to stop us getting torn apart.

What formation did AVB have us playing?

I remember we seemed to get ripped to shreds at the back every other week.

We were painful defensively under AVB. For me the game that really summed up AVB here was the Arsenal game at home. I was not in a good place at the time and losing that game the way we did was heartbreaking. A game we should have won turned into a bad defeat.

I remember that game too Bobby. Moment I decided AVB wasn't going to work out. Naively open. Bloke still hasn't learnt that football isn't played on a whiteboard.

3 at the back could work but you've got to have the right players. Not convinced we do.

Honestly if we keep our best players and add Nainggolan, a good centre half (perhaps Koulibaly? Not convinced we'll get Bonucci) and a solid left back we can easily challenge for the title again next season.

When has a 352 really worked in the premier recently? I saw West Ham play it in the first half against Arsenal and was horrendous at the back, went back to 4 at the back the second half.

Rodgers used it at Liverpool but wasn't successful. I can only see it being good as a formation change during matches etc.

 

There's generally only one common theme with 3-5-2 in the PL, every team has changed back eventually. QPR tried it last year (ultimately Harry quit before he was sacked), Koeman has used it frequently (with some success) this year but generally favours 4 at the back. Pochettino played 3 at the back v Watford away when they won 2-1, LvG seems to have given up on it, Bruce would often play 3 at the back and ultimately Hull were relegated, Alex Neil at Norwich has used 3 at the back but they can't score for toffee...

 

The only team that I can remember using 3-5-2 consistently over the course of a season and doing well was Norwich under Mike Walker.

Edited by the special one

I remember that game too Bobby. Moment I decided AVB wasn't going to work out. Naively open. Bloke still hasn't learnt that football isn't played on a whiteboard.

3 at the back could work but you've got to have the right players. Not convinced we do.

Honestly if we keep our best players and add Nainggolan, a good centre half (perhaps Koulibaly? Not convinced we'll get Bonucci) and a solid left back we can easily challenge for the title again next season.

He's the only Chelsea manager I've really disliked from day one. I just thought the guy was a complete tool.

I admire your optimism, given we have no Europe I think we should be aiming to win the league personally. Might aswell aim high.

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