Posted April 25, 20168 yr With Conte coming in, John Terry potentially leaving and for arguments sake Zouma missing the start of the season, I honestly don't know what our back line will look like next season. As a fan would you prefer to see the 3 at the back, as Conte is so famous for, used at Chelsea? Or would you prefer us to stick with the tradition of 2 CB's and 2 full backs? Either way big changes will need to be made. Who would you bring in (realistically) and who would you let go?
April 25, 20168 yr I would like to have the option open to play either 3-5-2 or 4-3-3. Keeping that in mind we need to have atleast 5 players who can play CB and 3-4 fullbacks as usual. The setup I would have CBs : Manolas/Bonucci, Zouma, Ivanovic, Miazga, Ake - Ivanovic to be the ball playing CB, Zouma to play the sweeping role (with his big tackles). - This will leave scope to chuck out Ivanovic at the end of the season and bring in Christensen. - Ake to be used as CB only to cover for injuries. Fullbacks : Azpi, Kane - Ake, DaSilva - Kane looks like the kind of player who would be willing to play backup. - Ake to start at left back but the aim will be to quickly get DaSilva enough experience to make him starting fullback. - Ake to move to his prefered DM role within the next 12 to 18 months. The fullbacks have enough attacking competence to play wingbacks in a 3-5-2 Edited April 25, 20168 yr by Orpington_Blue
April 25, 20168 yr Author I like the option of playing either formation when it suits. I really hope we don't lost Ola Aina in the summer as is looking increasingly likely. I believe he can be really special in years to come and is one of the few youngsters that in physically ready for the Premier league now.
April 25, 20168 yr Interesting topic. Hard to really know whether he utilizes back 3 or back 4. LVG tried and failed with back 3 in the prem. But for it to work the midfield in front of it needs to work. I think Zouma is probably our number 1 choice for any setup. He is big and pacy and a bright future in before him.
April 25, 20168 yr Author Interesting topic. Hard to really know whether he utilizes back 3 or back 4. LVG tried and failed with back 3 in the prem. But for it to work the midfield in front of it needs to work. I think Zouma is probably our number 1 choice for any setup. He is big and pacy and a bright future in before him. This is my biggest concern for the 3 at the back. It makes me wonder whether a formation like that can work in such a fast league.
April 25, 20168 yr Impossible to say really. I'd keep JT, but I think he's going. I'd sell Ivanovic, but I think he's staying. Cahill needs to stay in my opinion if either of those happen. After that who knows? Azpi could work as wing-back and is literally the only person I'm certain will be here. Rahman probably gets another year competing with Ake. Miazga probably gets a loan. Kane just did his ACL so is out. Zouma is a difficult one because the injury is an awkward one. DaSilva is probably still a bit young. Aina needs a chance but I fear that ship has sailed and Clarke-Salter probably gets a loan too. Personally I'd look to bring in Stones still because I don't see anyone out there I'd say is a dead cert to develop better in this league. Ideally - JT, Stones, Zouma, Cahill, Ake; Rahman, Azpi, The two wildcards are Kenedy and Cuadrado who I think could both play wing-back. What I expect - Ivanovic, Cahill, Manolas, Zouma, Ake; Rahman, Azpi.
April 25, 20168 yr I would like to have the option open to play either 3-5-2 or 4-3-3. Keeping that in mind we need to have atleast 5 players who can play CB and 3-4 fullbacks as usual. The setup I would have CBs : Manolas/Bonucci, Zouma, Ivanovic, Miazga, Ake - Ivanovic to be the ball playing CB, Zouma to play the sweeping role (with his big tackles). - This will leave scope to chuck out Ivanovic at the end of the season and bring in Christensen. - Ake to be used as CB only to cover for injuries. Fullbacks : Azpi, Kane - Ake, DaSilva - Kane looks like the kind of player who would be willing to play backup. - Ake to start at left back but the aim will be to quickly get DaSilva enough experience to make him starting fullback. - Ake to move to his prefered DM role within the next 12 to 18 months. The fullbacks have enough attacking competence to play wingbacks in a 3-5-2 We'd struggle for top four with that defense, I think it's a world class player or two short. Two injuries and we could be lining up like this before Christmas (presuming four at the back) Kane Ivanovic Miazga Ake Not sure where Cahill has gone? Kane could do with a premier league loan like Ake has had.
April 25, 20168 yr LVG tried and failed with back 3 in the prem. But for it to work the midfield in front of it needs to work. Dont forget Koeman used it very well this season to climb from about 15th in the table to 5th at one point. We'd struggle for top four with that defense, I think it's a world class player or two short. Two injuries and we could be lining up like this before Christmas (presuming four at the back) Kane Ivanovic Miazga Ake Not sure where Cahill has gone? Kane could do with a premier league loan like Ake has had. This is the budget option really. Wont mind if we can get in another fullback and a CB too. however, Its safe to assume we will not be able to bring in any world class defenders with no CL this summer. Also, I assume a much more reliable midfield 3 infront of the defense. Say : Naingollan -Matic - Fabregas. This will have enough defensive output to make for a reasonably tight defense. Cahill is a part of the problems not solution, I'd say get rid of him. Gives away far too many chances, does not tackle and is not a leader. Kane is ready to be in the squad. He does not need a full season PL loan just to come in as backup for Azpi. Right now is just fine, though he has done his ACL in so wont be available till september anyways.
April 25, 20168 yr As mentioned above and as with all formations 3-5-2 can be hit and miss. If there's anything I've learned from all the things I've read on tactics it's that the formation is meaningless when compared to how the team transitions from attack to defense and vice versa. For all we know he could decide England is ready for 4-2-4 again. The players it affects most would be our fullbacks. Something like... CB: JT, Cahill, Zouma, Miazga, Manolas FB: Baba, Dave, Ake, Signing or WB: Baba, Cuadrado (cringe) Kenedy, Dave, Ake Oddly enough I haven't seen any rumors about potential new full backs or wing backs. Could it be Conte is happy with what we have and he'll go 4 at the back? Edited April 25, 20168 yr by TheChelseaBlues
April 25, 20168 yr 4 at the backAzpi - Marquinhos - Zouma - Rahmanwith Ivan, Terry, Cahill, and Ake as back ups
April 27, 20168 yr Seems like we have received a bit of a boost on buying a CB. Bayern are definetly buying Hummels which leaves the change of Benatia being available wide open. Also standard carried quotes from Bonucci yesterday saying how he would love a reunion with Conte.
April 27, 20168 yr Answering the opening question posed in this topic, I too would like to have the option to play either 3-5-2 or 4-3-3, having 5 players who can play CB, with at least 4/5 fullback/wingbacks, which would appear to be the minimum requirement. Dealing with the CBs first and trying to second-guess Conte, I think he would ideally like a close confidant in there somewhere and Bonucci would be the obvious choice. His acquisition would probably mean JT going, as Conte will not want too many elderly Chieftains at the expense of not enough young Indians. Bearing this in mind, Gary Cahill could also be vulnerable and might even be the subject of a swap deal - killing two problem situations with one John Stones, some might say. And pigs might fly, others might say, especially as in this scenario Branna is most likely to get his bacon saved by virtue of being able to play at full back, leaving the following final five:- CBs - Bonucci, Zouma, Ivanovic, Miazga, Clarke-Salter Turning now to the flanks, and on the face of it I agree with Shed-Ender - we have just the one certainty (Azpi) plus a whole host of players with the potential to make the position their own - Baba, Ake, Aina, Dasilva, Kane, Sterling, Kennedy and Cuadrado - the last two undoubtedly classed as out-and-out wingbacks, but nevertheless capable of fulfilling the defensive role if required to do so. Narrowing this field down to another final five, I would go for:- Full Backs - Azpi, Baba, Ake, Aina, Kennedy - although the temptation to throw the exciting sixteen year-old Sterling into this mix is great and something that I believe Conte might very well do at an early stage next season, once he sees how good he is, purely as a show of faith and statement of intent. Lastly, responding to the ‘letting go’ issue, should a player of the standing of Bonucci not want to settle for a season or two without CL football, it would be foolish and somewhat risky not to extend JT’s contract for another year and perhaps also insist on Christensen’s return from loan to provide extra cover in the event of lengthy injury spells out. In such circumstances Conte would then have to weigh up the hoped-for further introduction of youth against the need for experience and stability, which brings us full circle to the possibility and viability of a Stones/Cahill swap, or something like it, somewhere down the line. .
April 27, 20168 yr Answering the opening question posed in this topic, I too would like to have the option to play either 3-5-2 or 4-3-3, having 5 players who can play CB, with at least 4/5 fullback/wingbacks, which would appear to be the minimum requirement. Dealing with the CBs first and trying to second-guess Conte, I think he would ideally like a close confidant in there somewhere and Bonucci would be the obvious choice. His acquisition would probably mean JT going, as Conte will not want too many elderly Chieftains at the expense of not enough young Indians. Bearing this in mind, Gary Cahill could also be vulnerable and might even be the subject of a swap deal - killing two problem situations with one John Stones, some might say. And pigs might fly, others might say, especially as in this scenario Branna is most likely to get his bacon saved by virtue of being able to play at full back, leaving the following final five:- CBs - Bonucci, Zouma, Ivanovic, Miazga, Clarke-Salter Turning now to the flanks, and on the face of it I agree with Shed-Ender - we have just the one certainty (Azpi) plus a whole host of players with the potential to make the position their own - Baba, Ake, Aina, Dasilva, Kane, Sterling, Kennedy and Cuadrado - the last two undoubtedly classed as out-and-out wingbacks, but nevertheless capable of fulfilling the defensive role if required to do so. Narrowing this field down to another final five, I would go for:- Full Backs - Azpi, Baba, Ake, Aina, Kennedy - although the temptation to throw the exciting sixteen year-old Sterling into this mix is great and something that I believe Conte might very well do at an early stage next season, once he sees how good he is, purely as a show of faith and statement of intent. Lastly, responding to the ‘letting go’ issue, should a player of the standing of Bonucci not want to settle for a season or two without CL football, it would be foolish and somewhat risky not to extend JT’s contract for another year and perhaps also insist on Christensen’s return from loan to provide extra cover in the event of lengthy injury spells out. In such circumstances Conte would then have to weigh up the hoped-for further introduction of youth against the need for experience and stability, which brings us full circle to the possibility and viability of a Stones/Cahill swap, or something like it, somewhere down the line. . I would be very happy with that set up as there is really good amount of youth. I would also really like to see Tomori getting some inclusion at CB as for me he already looks better on the ball than Stones. I don't necessarily think that defence would be strong enough for us to fight for the league next season but I would hope that isn't our aim next season. Edited April 27, 20168 yr by PedroMendez
April 27, 20168 yr I've gotta believe Conte will request that JT stays. I just cant believe he and the club would let him go. 3 at the back would be interesting. As someone said the LVG version didnt work, but then they played a young lad Blackett in there who had probably never played in a back 3 in the academy. Why would Fergie have let the academy train 3 at the back when he always favoured a back 4?They also had ashley young at left wing back and Valencia at right wing back. Neither were natural defenders. And to top it all off they had Smalling and Jones 'leading' the back line, with Blind (Naturally a Midfielder) filling in there too. I dont think it was the system that let LVG down per say, I think it was the square pegs in round holes team selection. You can maybe get by with 1 of your 5 defenders not being a natural defender, but when you have 3 midfielders playing as defenders then clearly you are going to be exposed and suffer from poor positioning and awareness.I think we will be well stocked in the defensive department to ensure we have highly skilled players for each position.Personally I would go for: Zouma Terry Ivanovic/New signing (Possibly Manolas?) Dave Rahman (if he improves)/New signing I have to admit I dont know much about Manolas but hear he is highly rated. Left wing back seems to be a problem. I think Rahman offers the best option currently, but his defensive work needs to improve. Kenedy is another option but I prefer him to be more advanced. He can have such a good impact in the final third, why waste him asking him to track back to the edge of our own box?
May 9, 20168 yr I would like to have the option open to play either 3-5-2 or 4-3-3. Keeping that in mind we need to have atleast 5 players who can play CB and 3-4 fullbacks as usual. The setup I would have CBs : Manolas/Bonucci, Zouma, Ivanovic, Miazga, Ake - Ivanovic to be the ball playing CB, Zouma to play the sweeping role (with his big tackles). - This will leave scope to chuck out Ivanovic at the end of the season and bring in Christensen. - Ake to be used as CB only to cover for injuries. Fullbacks : Azpi, Kane - Ake, DaSilva - Kane looks like the kind of player who would be willing to play backup. - Ake to start at left back but the aim will be to quickly get DaSilva enough experience to make him starting fullback. - Ake to move to his prefered DM role within the next 12 to 18 months. The fullbacks have enough attacking competence to play wingbacks in a 3-5-2 I think that what your saying is all 100% correct and something that every true blue Chelsea fan whats to see the youth coming up into the senior team BUT I personally can't see players like Kane, DaSilva playing for a team like Chelsea without going out on loan and getting a piece of first team football. We are at a rebuilding stage and bringing a young player like Baba giving him a shot at playing when we were at the lowest point of the session and then taking him off at half time and then playing him again few weeks later just does not work well for a young player. Who remembers when Zouma played his first few games? How many mistakes did he make? YOU LEARN FROM THEM!!!! I hope Conte picks his formation quickly and doesn't make to many changers mid session.
May 9, 20168 yr I think that what your saying is all 100% correct and something that every true blue Chelsea fan whats to see the youth coming up into the senior team BUT I personally can't see players like Kane, DaSilva playing for a team like Chelsea without going out on loan and getting a piece of first team football. We are at a rebuilding stage and bringing a young player like Baba giving him a shot at playing when we were at the lowest point of the session and then taking him off at half time and then playing him again few weeks later just does not work well for a young player. Who remembers when Zouma played his first few games? How many mistakes did he make? YOU LEARN FROM THEM!!!! I hope Conte picks his formation quickly and doesn't make to many changers mid session. What better way to rebuild than to give younger players who could be here for a decade a chance? I dont expect major changes to the first team. Surely thYxQ2Tzj2GHsTCT ffsough we would benefit from selling olders players who we know wont be starting and give those spots to the young ones. For example, Ake and Van Ginkel would be perfectly suitable as cover atm. Im all for upgrading at CB or CM but hopefully the players who are displaced dont stick around.
May 9, 20168 yr Agree with a lot of people on here. RB: Azpi, Kane CB: Bonucci, Zouma, Andreas, JT/Iva LB: Ake, Baba.
May 9, 20168 yr what's all this stuff about bonucci? has there even been any solid rumours linking him to us? i know we were interested in manolas, but that's about it.
May 9, 20168 yr what's all this stuff about bonucci? has there even been any solid rumours linking him to us? i know we were interested in manolas, but that's about it. He'll be forever linked with Conte. I dont think theres a chance Juve will sell
May 9, 20168 yr Courtois (Begovic) Azpi (Ivanovic) -- Varane (Zouma) -- Manolas (Zouma/Ivanovic) -- Rodriguez (Azpi) Edited May 9, 20168 yr by the special one
May 9, 20168 yr Courtois (Begovic) Azpi (Ivanovic) -- Varane (Zouma) -- Manolas (Zouma/Ivanovic) -- Rodriguez (Azpi) I would have done something like this if it was possible to buy all three of them, but I doubt we can get Varane. Would be a huge change in pace for our central defence though :)
May 9, 20168 yr Varane has long been a pipe dream for many in here, no idea why they think Real Madrid would sell him Edited May 9, 20168 yr by Bobbywoodhogan
May 9, 20168 yr My dream line: Azpilicueta -- Zouma -- Boateng -- Ake But the realistic one, in my opinion, is: Ivanovic -- Manolas -- Zouma -- Azpilicueta
May 9, 20168 yr Varane has long been a pipe dream for many in here, no idea why they think Real Madrid would sell him Agreed mate, very unlikely Varane would join us with no CL... though I doubt he's too happy at Madrid atm so could be a surprise departure from Real this summer. If he leaves he'll go to United or PSG... can't see us signing Manolas/Rodriguez either tbh Realistically I think it may be; Courtois Marquinhos (Azpi) -- Cahill/Zouma -- Benatia/Ivanovic -- Azpi (Baba) Edited May 9, 20168 yr by the special one
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