Couldn't see a specific thread to discuss these things generally, instead of during/after games, anyway:

One issue I have with this 3-5-2 formation, is that it puts pretty much all the resonsibility on 2 players to create and score in Morata and Hazard, when we had 3 up top, that gives you one more outlet. It wouldn't be such an issue if we had a midfielder who can score lots of goals, like we used to have with Lampard, or to lesser extents people like Ballack. But a midfield three of Kante (a couple of goals a season), Bakayoko (can't hit a barn door) and Fabregas (never shoots from outside the box) means it's up to the front 2 to score the vast majority of the goals, and if one or both are off their game or injured, we are kind of screwed. Drinkwater's not a goal scorer either, and if RLC comes back he's not really a goal scorer. We are really missing someone in the midfield who isn't afraid to have a shot from 25 yards if the space opens up, instead of holding onto it and trying to pass it through.

Agreed. This is the sort of team and formation that Ballack, Lamps and Essien would thrive in.

Fabregas supply ample quality but I agree that he doesn't score a lot. It's pretty much the reason why Atletico kept the scoreline tighter than what it could have been. They put 2 people on Morata and Hazard whenever they're in a position to shoot which made us easier to contain.

Also, our CBs are not scoring as much these days. We need to fix our corners or at least convert more goals from corners and set pieces. Basically, we need to have everyone contribute more in terms of end product.

5 minutes ago, Deino said:

Also, our CBs are not scoring as much these days. We need to fix our corners or at least convert more goals from corners and set pieces. Basically, we need to have everyone contribute more in terms of end product.

Christensen really needs to work on his attacking headers, he's missed some great chances this season.

I reckon Conte has realized in the bigger games he can't go with 2 CM's especially if Fabregas is one of them however the catch 22 is that without Fabregas we lack any sort of creativity within the team. On the flip side within the 3-5-2 system the 3 CM who are used regularly we need someone who will contribute with more goals. Hopefully RLC develops into that Midfielder who offers protection at the back yet a goal threat going forward.

 

3-5-2.... What if the two were two strikers and Hazard behind. If there was an extra centre forward that would be another option. 

At least there'll be more actually dangerous targets in the box for the wide players to aim at.

 

Courtois

Azpilicueta | Christensen | (enter choice)

Alonso | Kante | (enter choice) | Moses

Hazard

Morata | Batshuayi

 

I think two actual strikers might also make better use of a player like Batshuayi so he's not just a completely untrusted waste of space to Conte.

 

 

You get out what you put in. The current crop of attacking options is not as strong as our rivals. Fabregas, Willian, Moses, Alonso and pedro are all less effective than season. 

We could really do with some fresh ideas in the final 3rd, I'd like to see us move Willian, pedro, and Batshuayi on, (Not to domestic rivals though), and replace them with quality. 

We have very little to lose since none of those 3 have contributed much so far this season. 

We are solid enough defensively, but we look stale in attack. 

Got to agree, Chelsea need some new ideas and fresh faces in the attacking third. You stop Hazard and you stop Chelsea, yes Hazard is that dam good but a top team shouldn't be like that. You watch games like today and Hazard does everything he can to break down defenses and it must be so frustrating. I would like Mahrez at Chelsea, has a cracking left foot.

Look at Liverpool who have a front four of Coutinho, Firmino, Salah and Mane, they don't rely on one player. Second best attacking team in the league after the champions elect.

35 minutes ago, Sun zhi said:

3-5-2.... What if the two were two strikers and Hazard behind. If there was an extra centre forward that would be another option. 

At least there'll be more actually dangerous targets in the box for the wide players to aim at.

 

Courtois

Azpilicueta | Christensen | (enter choice)

Alonso | Kante | (enter choice) | Moses

Hazard

Morata | Batshuayi

 

I think two actual strikers might also make better use of a player like Batshuayi so he's not just a completely untrusted waste of space to Conte.

 

 

Keeps willian and Pedro out of the team so I am all for it. Be nice to see against Brighton. 

Get the feeling we will see even more complaining about our squad during January though.

4 minutes ago, Ernie_blue said:

Got to agree, Chelsea need some new ideas and fresh faces in the attacking third. You stop Hazard and you stop Chelsea, yes Hazard is that dam good but a top team shouldn't be like that. You watch games like today and Hazard does everything he can to break down defenses and it must be so frustrating. I would like Mahrez at Chelsea, has a cracking left foot.

Look at Liverpool who have a front four of Coutinho, Firmino, Salah and Mane, they don't rely on one player. Second best attacking team in the league after the champions elect.

I think a left footed like Mahrez would be great. There's also fekir, lemar, malcom and bailey, who would exciting left footed signings. Big couple of Windows coming up for us, city are going to spend and improve further, and United will no doubt bring in some big names aswell. 

If the club sticks with replacing like for like, then we will be getting left behind. It's that simple really. 

Fekir is the one I want. 

Very much like Hazard. 

Don't know if we have the WB's for it, but how about a diamond of:

Azpilicueta, Luiz, Christensen, Alonso

Drinkwater

Kante, Bakayoko

Fabregas

Morata, Hazard

 

17 hours ago, Sun zhi said:

Fekir is the one I want. 

Very much like Hazard. 

Seeing as we cannot approach Leicester with any integrity following the purchases of Kante and Drinkwater I think Fekir should certainly be considered.

On 08/12/2017 at 14:51, Zeta said:

Couldn't see a specific thread to discuss these things generally, instead of during/after games, anyway:

One issue I have with this 3-5-2 formation, is that it puts pretty much all the resonsibility on 2 players to create and score in Morata and Hazard, when we had 3 up top, that gives you one more outlet. It wouldn't be such an issue if we had a midfielder who can score lots of goals, like we used to have with Lampard, or to lesser extents people like Ballack. But a midfield three of Kante (a couple of goals a season), Bakayoko (can't hit a barn door) and Fabregas (never shoots from outside the box) means it's up to the front 2 to score the vast majority of the goals, and if one or both are off their game or injured, we are kind of screwed. Drinkwater's not a goal scorer either, and if RLC comes back he's not really a goal scorer. We are really missing someone in the midfield who isn't afraid to have a shot from 25 yards if the space opens up, instead of holding onto it and trying to pass it through.

Agreed not a fan of 3-5-2/3-4-3. No matter how it is sugar coated, we are playing 5 defenders, Kante and Bakayoko who offer nothing going forward, with the onus on 3 players to create/and score. 

It is one thing to setup that way against the top 6, but using it against the other 12 teams is just bizarre considering most of them will just settle for a point. I know the argument will be that it won the league last season, but ever since the cup final against Arsenal it has looked a bit shaky. Other teams like Liverpool, City & Arsenal have adopted the formation and made it better. Personally will go with 4-3-3 against the smaller teams, and retain the 3-5-2/3-4-3 for bigger games.