i've read in a few places now that Big Phil loves the 4-2-3-1 and will never veer from it. not sure if that's just the way he always operates, or that is how he has operated with his current batch of players.

if we assume that's the way we line up with him, will it look like this? this assume Lamps is gone, and we sign no one else this summer (one is a stretch, one appears a foregone conclusion sadly):

Bosingwa-----JT-----Alex/Carv------Cole (subs: Ferreira, Bridge, Belletti, Ivanovic)

--------------Essien-----Ballack (subs: Maka, Mikel)

----J.Cole---------Deco---------Kalou (subs: Malouda, SWP)

--------------------Drogba (subs: Anelka, Sheva, Pizarro, di Santo)

obviously, there will be more movement, both coming and going.

any thoughts/insight on whether the 4-2-3-1 will control the day?

He has played away from 4-2-3-1 but only for times during a game or special games. 4-2-3-1 is his favoured formation certainly.

I think the last time he veered from 4-2-3-1 was the third group game of the Euro's in fact.

I can see a starting XI of the following. Which despite some negative feelings about Deco that I have, I actually do think that this could be an exciting line-up.

-------------------Cech----------------

Bosingwa---Carvalho---Terry----A,Cole

------------Essien----Ballack----------

--J.Cole----------Deco------Robinho-

-------------------Anelka---------------

Essien and Ballack 'look' like defensive midfielders in this. But essentially they play a tad forward of what Maka would expect. And often 'clear-up' mistakes from those in front and distribute it back to them. When played well it can be a very exciting and pleasing spectacle. The lone front man is not like in Jose's 4-3-3 (4-5-1) where he is always fighing for the ball and getting his head to things. He is generally a fast/mobile and savvy guy who slips off defenders to be fed by the three behind him. Ironically Crespo and a younger Sheva would fit this very well. Kaka used to play a similar role to Deco in this type of formation and would find Sheva regular.

At least that is my understanding from the mountains that I have read...

(I am a bit of a student of tactics...sad I know)

-------------------Cech----------------

Bosingwa---Carvalho---Terry----A,Cole

------------Essien----Ballack----------

--J.Cole----------Deco------Robinho-

-------------------Anelka---------------

That seems very plausible. I have one question though.

Is Anelka used to playing on his own or has he always had a partner?

he was a lone striker at bolton

--------------------Cech------------------

Bosingwa---Carvalho---Terry----A.Cole

------------------Essien-------------------

---Lampard-------Deco---------Ballack---

-------------------Drogba---------------

That last team with Ballack and Lamps alongside Deco massively changes the dynamics from the earlier post. Lamps and Ballack are both controlling central midfielders who want to run the game from the center of the park, whereas JC and Kalou are more similar to Deco in that they play higher up the pitch and like to run at players. One team is exciting the other is solid!

I do think that Scolari and Deco between them could lead to JC taking the next step if they give him the chance. And he needs to because he's fallen short of where he should be in my book.

--------------------Cech------------------

Bosingwa---Carvalho---Terry----A.Cole

------------------Essien-------------------

---Lampard-------Deco---------Ballack---

-------------------Drogba---------------

* Joe Cole suddenly disappears after sleeping with the husband of another London thug and running off into the night ;)

Edited July 1, 200818 yr by TheWestwayWonder

* Joe Cole suddenly disappears after sleeping with the husband of another London thug and running off into the night ;)

That's a right shocker!!!! :o

--------------------Cech------------------

Bosingwa---Carvalho---Terry----A.Cole

------------------Essien-------------------

---Lampard-------Deco---------Ballack---

-------------------Drogba---------------

Big Phil wants to assert his authority so much over the Premiership that, after punching Rafa square in the nose, he fields 10 players on the pitch. "I can win with 10," he says, and then takes a jab at Sir Alex's soft middle section.

Drogba is a BIG lad though. Even if Chelsea does 'disgust' him.

(no I will not forget this...)

Big Phil wants to assert his authority so much over the Premiership that, after punching Rafa square in the nose, he fields 10 players on the pitch. "I can win with 10," he says, and then takes a jab at Sir Alex's soft middle section.

:D sounds good to me! :D

I really hope that we do not start next season with Anelka as our lone striker. I am great ful for a lot of what Drogba has given us, but I am also "disgusted" with a lot of what he has done. For me, there has never been a palyer at Chelsea I have felt so 50-50 about. It also seems that his services are not in as high demand as he, or many on here, feel they should be. If one of the Milan's offered him a contract, I'd fly to London to help him pack his bags.

Anyway, back to topic. I hope that we do play with Essien in the midfield, and I feel that he will benfit the most if Lampard leaves. Maka will play less and less, but will still be integral, and I hope that Mikel gets more games.

I also still hold out hope for Malouda, nd think Kalou could be a star next season. Villa is a player I like, but doubt he'd work as a lone striker, whereas I feel Huntelaar would

..............................Cech

Bosingwa.....Carvalho..Terry......Cole

..................Essien...........Ballack

........J Cole............Deco.......Iniesta

.........................Huntelaar

Kaloua to take the place of Iniesta in the event we don't (and probably won't) sign him

Scott

Can't see Iniesta being a signing. He seems happy at a bigger club - why would he want to move?

Felipe probs wants Robinho for that role...and he is very tricky. Personally I would LOVE to see Van Der Vaart there. Loved his distribution in the Euro's. Reminds me of Ruud's first year at the Bridge, we were all used to long-ball and Ruud was doing all this turn-make room-pass' thing. We were baffled...then excited.

I think this would be a pretty good 4-2-3-1 line-up if that is the case.

Bosingwa - Carvalho - Terry - A. Cole

Ballack - Essien

J. Cole - Lampard/Deco - Ronaldinho/Robinho

Deco/Robinho - Drogba

I think Deco can play forward also, that is why I put him with Robinho and/or Drogba, correct me if I am wrong.

The centre of three behind the striker is generally a playmaking passer rather than Lamps who is a traditional 'box-to-box' runner and shooter in the Robson, Platt fashion. That said if Lamps could adjust to that (and we know he can do some lovely passing) it would be great for his career as i think that is also what Capello is after.

As for Deco. He has played off the striker (an Eidur type role) but not as a lone striker. He is hideously lightweight and would get squished. :unsure:

Don't right off Anelka. He is perfect for a role upfront in this system...if he gets over his (le) sulk.

Bosingwa---Carvalho----Terry----Cole

-------------Essien-----------Ballack

Lampard------------Deco-------Robinho

-------------Drogba

Ah, forget it. I can't really make it work to where I see all the players I want out there and this formation.

The question is will Scolari buy players to fit a particular formation or will he adapt the formation to fit the players?

Defensively, I think the squad and team is fairly settled.

Cech in goal with Carlo and Hilario as backup is about as good as it gets.

Boswinga must be first choice right back with presumably Ferreira as backup

Cole will be first choice left back with Bridge in reserve.

Centre halves will be Carvalho and JT with Alex and Ivanovic as cover

That means we can let Belletti and Boularouz go.

Midfield is very complicated now.

Maka, Mikel Essien, Ballack, Lampard and now Deco means that there are a lot of players competing for at best 4 places but probably 3. You'd have to believe that one player was going to be leaving and that surely will be Frankie.

Attacking/wide midfield depends on whether the rumours about Arshavin and Robinho and Ronadinho are true. If they all come in then I think that is curtains for SWP, Malouda and backup roles for Joe Cole and Kalou.

Strikers doesn't actually look too bad, particularly if we do get two of the three above. Drogba, Anelka, Sheva with Di Santo and Kalou as options and Pizarro shipping out gives us a good variety.

How about this as a squad?

--------------------------Cech

Boswinga-----Carvalho-------Terry----------Cole

----------------Essien------------Ballack

Robinho----------------Deco----------------Arshavin

------------------------Drogba

Subs: Cudicini, Ferreira, Alex, Mikel, Joe Cole, Kalou, Sheva.

Non-playing squad members: Hilario, Bridge, Ivanovic, Maka, Anelka

It would be hard to see too much wrong with that line up and it only needs two more signings.

The question is will Scolari buy players to fit a particular formation or will he adapt the formation to fit the players?

Defensively, I think the squad and team is fairly settled.

Cech in goal with Carlo and Hilario as backup is about as good as it gets.

Boswinga must be first choice right back with presumably Ferreira as backup

Cole will be first choice left back with Bridge in reserve.

Centre halves will be Carvalho and JT with Alex and Ivanovic as cover

That means we can let Belletti and Boularouz go.

Midfield is very complicated now.

Maka, Mikel Essien, Ballack, Lampard and now Deco means that there are a lot of players competing for at best 4 places but probably 3. You'd have to believe that one player was going to be leaving and that surely will be Frankie.

Attacking/wide midfield depends on whether the rumours about Arshavin and Robinho and Ronadinho are true. If they all come in then I think that is curtains for SWP, Malouda and backup roles for Joe Cole and Kalou.

Strikers doesn't actually look too bad, particularly if we do get two of the three above. Drogba, Anelka, Sheva with Di Santo and Kalou as options and Pizarro shipping out gives us a good variety.

How about this as a squad?

--------------------------Cech

Boswinga-----Carvalho-------Terry----------Cole

----------------Essien------------Ballack

Robinho----------------Deco----------------Arshavin

------------------------Drogba

Subs: Cudicini, Ferreira, Alex, Mikel, Joe Cole, Kalou, Sheva.

Non-playing squad members: Hilario, Bridge, Ivanovic, Maka, Anelka

It would be hard to see too much wrong with that line up and it only needs two more signings.

Pretty decent to me, but I say we buy a new striker (Huntelaar? Villa?), with Didier as back up (if he stays that is).

Edited July 3, 200818 yr by Ruh Buh Juh

Could Ronaldinho play lone striker?

He could, but it's unlikely. He's more of a supporting striker/attacking midfielder

I think this would be a pretty good 4-2-3-1 line-up if that is the case.

Bosingwa - Carvalho - Terry - A. Cole

Ballack - Essien

J. Cole - Lampard/Deco - Ronaldinho/Robinho

Deco/Robinho - Drogba

I think Deco can play forward also, that is why I put him with Robinho and/or Drogba, correct me if I am wrong.

that is 4-2-3-2 with no goalie?

Yeah, I made a mistake there.

Could Ronaldinho play lone striker?

He's not that sort of payer...

My only concern now is if we sign Arshavin our attackuing dimension will have a lone striker and these three behind (in all likelyhood)...

Arshavin--------Deco---------J.Cole

Which is fine and all....

Good skillful players.

But they are all dwarves! Miget gems!

But we used to have an attack made up of Stein and Jonny Spencer with Wise just behind them, not a big man in site, we played some good football though (even though we were pretty sh*t then).

But we used to have an attack made up of Stein and Jonny Spencer with Wise just behind them, not a big man in site, we played some good football though (even though we were pretty sh*t then).

Two full internationals you have mentioned there mate, both played in mayjor finals as well and as for stieno, should have been starting for enlgand!!