Our best formation and line-up ?

[Virosh]

Ever since the start of the season I have been thinking what would be our best line-up for games, provided that all of our players are fit to start and equally in form and we don't add a new player(s) during the winter.

OK, it is a very, very theoretical assumption and I realise that it is unlikely to occur for more than 10-15 games throughout the season, but it is worth the thought.

But before you see what MY idea is, I would like to give my reasoning:

1. We do not have world-class wingers at the moment. Joey is the closest to that, but Malouda and Kalou don't deserve to be in the team and Belletti, whom we have used on the wing, remains a full back, albeit a versatile one.

2. Anelka is not a lone striker. He cannot hold up the ball well when closely marked by defenders, is easily muscled off, is hesitant to challenge in the air and prefers to drift away from center to pick up the ball and create openings from the flanks or through the middle. His inability to play as a lone striker is what has cost us dearly in many games - without a strong forward up front we have found it harder than before to break up teams who park the bus or when we are chasing a game (like Man United, Liverpool and recently, Arsenal). Which brings me to my next point.

3. We need Drogba.

I know, I know - he is a moaning, I-don't-give-a-f*** git, who clearly has lost his passion for the club, but on his day, he is the best striker we have and his physical play is something we have missed dearly, as I pointed out. Until we find a proper replacement, he remains pretty much an untouchable, especially in big games.

4. Our full-backs in Bosingwa and A.Cole are arguably the best pair in the world. They are great supporting the attack and solid enough at the back, bar a few inevitable mistakes. Their fantastic performance so far makes me think we don't actually need wingers.

5. Mikel. His role in our midfield is vital and I daresay he has managed to convince a lot of people he is filling the boots of Makelele handsomely. He is still very young and needs to improve his decision making as well as learn he can pass forward more quickly than he currently does, but other than that he has been top game.

6. We need Essien.

He is the drive behind our team, our engine and dynamo,etc.

So, without further ado, I give you Chelsea :

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

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

---------------------Mikel------------------------

---Essien--------Lampard-------Ballack-------

---------Anelka------------Drogba-------------

If, in any game, the sh*t hits the fan, we can bring on any of the following : J. Cole, Di Santo, Deco. Most of the rest are there for back-up, or in the particular case of Malouda and Kalou, cannon fodder

Now, feel free to disagree with me :P

[wilko77]

So, without further ado, I give you Chelsea :

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

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

---------------------Mikel------------------------

---Essien--------Lampard-------Ballack-------

---------Anelka------------Drogba-------------

Now, feel free to disagree with me

Yea i agree with most of your team if all fit but i think the onli think i would disagree with would be joey on the bench we need him hes the main man and creates goals and openings for other players. but untill that team is fit play 4-4-2 and play bosingwa on the wing and paula rb?

[Ruh Buh Juh]

You'd take Joey Cole out?

I'd put Joey in for Ballack as he's not exactly the brightest bulb in the box. Ballack is very, very good on his day, but how many days of these has he got left?

But other than that I think you've put a pretty good shout for our best formation.

Unfortunately, Scolari won't drop Deco that easily.

Another important question is, who would you have on the bench? Personally, I'd go for:

Carlo

Belletti

Alex

Deco

Ballack

Kalou

Di Santo

?

[PloKoon13]

At the moment? :P

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

Ferreira---Terry----Ivanovic---Cole

----------------Belletti----------------

----------------------------------------

---Bosingwa--------------Ballack----

----------------Lampard--------------

----------------------------------------

---------Cole--------------------------

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

Something like this maybe? :S

And it means we have Deco as super-sub

[wilko77]

At the moment? :P

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

Ferreira---Terry----Ivanovic---Cole

----------------Belletti----------------

----------------------------------------

---Bosingwa--------------Ballack----

----------------Lampard--------------

----------------------------------------

---------Cole--------------------------

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

Something like this maybe? :S

And it means we have Deco as super-sub

Yea im deff going with that, it can't be any worse if your honest but at the end of the day the form he is in he needs to be dropped to show he is not guarented a place in the team unless he gets his finger out of his ass and produces the form he showed on the first to games of the season.

[Virosh]

You'd take Joey Cole out?

Another important question is, who would you have on the bench? Personally, I'd go for:

Yes - I think Ballack is more important to our game. I would agree to Joey being ahead of Anelka in the pecking order, but not Ballack. He may not have a long time to play in football, but he remains a leader and an inspiration to the team. He isn't Germany's national captain for nothing, you know.

As for the sub bench, I think I made it clear - Joey, Di Santo and Deco are three of them, you have one goalkeeper and rest

can be just back-up - whoever is available at the moment. I wouldn't like to see Kalou or Malouda there, that much is for sure

At the moment? :P

No, not at the moment . I meant if all are fit and in form. In general

[wilko77]

No, not at the moment . I meant if all are fit and in form. In general

But they are not all fit so its not possible. And as for ballack he may be a leader but we still need a playmaker!!

[Ruh Buh Juh]

Yes - I think Ballack is more important to our game. I would agree to Joey being ahead of Anelka in the pecking order, but not Ballack. He may not have a long time to play in football, but he remains a leader and an inspiration to the team. He isn't Germany's national captain for nothing, you know.

As for the sub bench, I think I made it clear - Joey, Di Santo and Deco are three of them, you have one goalkeeper and rest

can be just back-up - whoever is available at the moment. I wouldn't like to see Kalou or Malouda there, that much is for sure

Fair point, fair point. I just see Joey as a much more creative player than Ballack. We have our drive in Essien, our goal-scoring in Frank, but Ballack is pretty similar to Frank and we'll need that quick, take on a man part in Joey IMO. Not saying Ballack isn't a good enough player, but Joey gives that creative edge for me.

[wilko77]

Fair point, fair point. I just see Joey as a much more creative player than Ballack. We have our drive in Essien, our goal-scoring in Frank, but Ballack is pretty similar to Frank and we'll need that quick, take on a man part in Joey IMO. Not saying Ballack isn't a good enough player, but Joey gives that creative edge for me.

totaly agree with that its the spark from midfield and the drive from midfield that we are normally so good at that we lack at the minute, as we don't have joey and essien.

[Virosh]

But they are not all fit so its not possible.

Mate, you just don't get the point of this thread. It's not about them being fit, it's about the team's optimal formation IF WE HAD ALL THE PLAYERS AVAILABLE.

And as for ballack he may be a leader but we still need a playmaker!!

Fair point, fair point. I just see Joey as a much more creative player than Ballack. We have our drive in Essien, our goal-scoring in Frank, but Ballack is pretty similar to Frank and we'll need that quick, take on a man part in Joey IMO. Not saying Ballack isn't a good enough player, but Joey gives that creative edge for me.

That is actually a valid point - it comes down to a choice between flair, speed and creativity (Joye) and stability, solid passing, aerial prowess and (last but definitely not least) a wicked shot from free kicks, unrivaled throughout our squad.

I cannot say either choice is wrong - a matter of opposition and preference I guess. Mind you, I put Joey as my first sub - I rate him as high as anyone else around here.

Edited December 1, 2008 by Virosh

[TheWestwayWonder]

At the moment? :P

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

Ferreira---Terry----Ivanovic---Cole

----------------Belletti----------------

----------------------------------------

---Bosingwa--------------Ballack----

----------------Lampard--------------

----------------------------------------

---------Cole--------------------------

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

Something like this maybe? :S

And it means we have Deco as super-sub ;)

I wouldnt mind trying that idea, especially if Paulo can slot in (I might give the edge to Belletti) because Bossie has shown he can be a house afire going forward

I will do Virosh even one more radical. Call it fantasy/videogame football if you want, but I would try sticking Joe or Frank as a deep lying striker to play off Anelka. Probably Joe, as Frank might be lost. But imagine this

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

Bossie---Ivan--Alex---Ashley

-------------Mikel

--------Essien

---------------------ballack

------JCole--------Lamps

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

alot like a V-midfield but Joe and Frank would keep close in tight and be there to play a ball through to Anelka with the other running in as support striker or to pick up rebounds. Obviously, in our current team, these two are among our best finishers. It would be narrow as hell, but with our fullbacks it might be ok

To me Ballack is practically undroppable becuase he is our best FK man besides maybe Deco, and offers too much on set pieces (in the box) to be left out

[evissy]

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

Belletti--Carvalho--Terry--A.Cole

------------Mikel------------------

Essien------Ballack------Lampard

------Anelka--------Drogba-------

I really don't understand why we don't try 4-4-2 as Malouda and Kalou are not delivering as well as we could hope for and Joey isn't available all the time.

Why not try DiSanto paired with Anelka and put Deco just behind them now that Essien is not available?

What is the harm of trying that? I believe Deco would be best in that role.

I don't see Scolari do it as he is an older man and he strongly believes his system. He might well be right can't blame him but still..

Bringing in Stoch was something of a surprise so maybe Scolari isn't as stubborn as I would think.

[midlandblue]

Cech

Bos. Terry. Riccy. A Cole

Mikel

Essien Ballack

Lampard

Cole

Drogba

[Star]

Ever since the start of the season I have been thinking what would be our best line-up for games, provided that all of our players are fit to start and equally in form and we don't add a new player(s) during the winter.

OK, it is a very, very theoretical assumption and I realise that it is unlikely to occur for more than 10-15 games throughout the season, but it is worth the thought.

But before you see what MY idea is, I would like to give my reasoning:

1. We do not have world-class wingers at the moment. Joey is the closest to that, but Malouda and Kalou don't deserve to be in the team and Belletti, whom we have used on the wing, remains a full back, albeit a versatile one.

2. Anelka is not a lone striker. He cannot hold up the ball well when closely marked by defenders, is easily muscled off, is hesitant to challenge in the air and prefers to drift away from center to pick up the ball and create openings from the flanks or through the middle. His inability to play as a lone striker is what has cost us dearly in many games - without a strong forward up front we have found it harder than before to break up teams who park the bus or when we are chasing a game (like Man United, Liverpool and recently, Arsenal). Which brings me to my next point.

3. We need Drogba.

I know, I know - he is a moaning, I-don't-give-a-f*** git, who clearly has lost his passion for the club, but on his day, he is the best striker we have and his physical play is something we have missed dearly, as I pointed out. Until we find a proper replacement, he remains pretty much an untouchable, especially in big games.

4. Our full-backs in Bosingwa and A.Cole are arguably the best pair in the world. They are great supporting the attack and solid enough at the back, bar a few inevitable mistakes. Their fantastic performance so far makes me think we don't actually need wingers.

5. Mikel. His role in our midfield is vital and I daresay he has managed to convince a lot of people he is filling the boots of Makelele handsomely. He is still very young and needs to improve his decision making as well as learn he can pass forward more quickly than he currently does, but other than that he has been top game.

6. We need Essien.

He is the drive behind our team, our engine and dynamo,etc.

So, without further ado, I give you Chelsea :

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

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

---------------------Mikel------------------------

---Essien--------Lampard-------Ballack-------

---------Anelka------------Drogba-------------

If, in any game, the sh*t hits the fan, we can bring on any of the following : J. Cole, Di Santo, Deco. Most of the rest are there for back-up, or in the particular case of Malouda and Kalou, cannon fodder

Now, feel free to disagree with me :P

I'm with you 100% with the formation and your forward line, keeper and defence.

Malouda shouldn't be anywhere near the bench but Kalou maybe should be.

The midfield, as you say is missing Essien and the only change i'd make is Joey Cole for Ballack.

With a bench that must include Deco, Ballack, Bridge and Ivanovic.

Of the reserves only Stoich fits the bill.

We are of course talking the luxury of a fully fit squad and what Chelsea manager has had that in the last 3 years ?

All I can say player wise is - we haven't got a system to play 3 up front and whilst Drogba could in an emergency, without Robben and Duff it doesn't work !!

Mikel and Ballack play with cigars on and there is only one player in a midfield who can play like that.

Essien has the engine to bring a new dimension to the Makelele role, in short supporting the attack and legging it back to protect the back four or nailing the man in the hole.

With the full backs doing as they do now, Mikel orchestrating and Lamps doing his usual and Joey Cole strutting his stuff, Anelka and Drogba will worry the centre backs into submission.

Over all though, Peter Kenyon's inconsistency's continue to dominate.

Only today, Scolari - No pressure to win trophies ? Er tell Ranieri and Grant that Peter !!

Only the top and succesfull sides maintain contenuity, Er Jose ??

Er - Brendon Rodgers has the respect of all players at Chelsea and Jose rang Watford to say if he ever came back to the UK he'd be his NO2 ..... WHY THE F£CK didn't he get Stevie Clarke's role instead of Butch 'coach jonah' Wilkins ???????????????

As we all know as well, Pizzaro, Sheva and Wright Phillips ( who would walk into our side in current circumstances ) were sold because the cocky Manc Twot thought he had Robinho in the bag and as for his statement that we don't buy players in January because we always look long term is laughable - Sidwell and Ben Haim not to mention Pizzaro - all never Chelsea players mate - jog on

All the contract bloopers, the seedy meetings, the Crespo, Veron, Sheva loan losses, the lies, the wages paid, not paid, the sackings, the backroom appointments and loss of staff .... I could go on ...

In ANY OTHER industry, PETER KENYON WOULD BE SACKED.

He's an idiot of the highest order.

What does that make Roman ? He should think about that seriously before he gets tarred with the same brush.

[Tim]

Also a big fan of that formation Virosh. Yes, it require the fullbacks to provide the width, but both are great at doing that and have the engine needed to defend as well. More to the point, as you clearly state, our 'wingers' are b*llocks, so we don't really have any other option.

As for the Ballack vs Joe debate, for me it really depends on who is in the better vein of form.

Much as I like Joe, I feel he has gone off the boil big time in the last few months, and Ballack is still off the pace due to injury. I know we are talking about an ideal case scenario, so providing both are fit and in top form, I think either could be dropped into that 3rd midfield spot depending on who we are playing. For the big games where the midfield battle is key, I would plump for Ballack, but perhaps for the home games when we need to break down a team playing for a point, Joe might be the better option.

I just hope we see something CLOSE to this at some point, especially the two up front!

[PloKoon13]

---------------Hilario----------------

Ivanovic------Alex-----------Cech-

--------------------------------------

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

-------------------------------------

-----Cole--------------Cole--------

-------------------------------------

------------Lampard---------------

-------------------------------------

-Stoch-----------------------Anelka

--------------------------------------

--------------Belletti----------------

One Champions League title, thank you very much.

[4EVERCHELSEA]

Cech

..Bos..........Terry.........Ricky........Ash..

..................Essien...............................

...............Ballack........Lampard.............

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

.........................Drogba..........................

[coco]

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

------Ivanovic---JT---Riccy-------

Bosingwa---------------------A.Cole

----------------Ballack-------------

-------Essien-----------Lampard----

---------Drogba------Anelka--------

[Killbill]

In a 4-3-3 I would like to see

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

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

.......................Mikel

............Essien...........Lampard

Cole................Drogba...........Kalou

In a 4-4-2

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

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

Cole/Ballack.....Essien...Mikel....Lampard

................Drogba.....Anelka

[Chelsea FC Champions]

Cech

Bos.

JT

Riccy

Ash

Mikel

Essien

Lampard

Deco/Ballack

Joey

Drogba

Bench:

Carlo

Belletti

Alex

Deco/Ballack

Kalou

Malouda

Anelka

[Virosh]

YES !

Didier Drogba stepped off the substitutes' bench to seal the points for Chelsea and Scolari admits he may now have to change his system to accommodate the Ivorian in the same line-up as in-form striker Nicolas Anelka.

"Drogba is one of the best strikers in the world," said Scolari. "I have more options now he is fit. But he didn't have a pre-season build-up because of injury and when he came back he got injured again.

"Then he was suspended and now he is back again. But it gives me a chance to play a different system sometimes. Before he was fit, I could not do that.

"He is important but don't forget we are second in the Champions League group and second in the Barclays Premier League because our top scorer is Nicolas Anelka.

"Drogba is one of the best in the world but I need to think about Anelka. He is as important as Drogba. After this, it is my job to put the two together."

source :

Sky Sports

Will we get the chance to see them together this weekend. God, I hope so. We looked so much better with both of them against Cluj.

Edited December 9, 2008 by Virosh

[TheWestwayWonder]

Damn, thats good news. I hope this is the difference when we are in top of the table clashes

[ethicalstrategy]

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

................Carvalho.......Terry

Bosingwa.......................................Cole

............................Mikel

.............Ballack................Lampard

..........................Deco

...................Drogba.....Anelka

or

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

................Carvalho.......Terry

Bosingwa.......................................Cole

............................Mikel

.......Essien..........Ballack........Lampard

------------------Deco

...........................Drogba

The only downside to either of those formations is that the width comes from the full backs and if they are stopped then we would have problem. Given that we don't have any wide players to speak of except Sinclair and Stoch (I don't consider Cole, Malouda or Kalou to be wingers) I think they are the best options.

[evissy]

The only downside to either of those formations is that the width comes from the full backs and if they are stopped then we would have problem. Given that we don't have any wide players to speak of except Sinclair and Stoch (I don't consider Cole, Malouda or Kalou to be wingers) I think they are the best options.

In 4-4-2 with diamond shaped midfield the most wide midfield players have defensive duties especially covering for the fullbacks. In our case it would be Lampard and Ballack at the moment. In January when we get Essien back it is even more favorable for us to play this formation.

The downside in this formation IMO is that if/when the tip of the diamond is not in perfect shape (Deco or Joey in our case) and the passes are not accurate the strikers are falling more and more back during the game to actually get the ball they have seldom received during the game.

I think the formation is more sensitive than wing game which relies on pace and success of long passes(crosses) and also when the ball is lost in the wing it usually doesn't turn into dangerous counter attack. Losing the ball in the center of the field can be lot more harming for defence.

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

Boss---Riccy--Terry--A.Cole

-----------Mikel--------------

--Ballack---------Lampard--

-----------Deco--------------

----Drogba------Anelka-----

Essien can repalce Ballack or Lampard or Mikel. Mineiro can replace Mikel. Joey for Deco. DiSanto or Kalou for either of the strikers. Malouda could be swapped with Lampard if needed.

[Nibs]

On the basis that everyone is fit, available and bang in form (something that admittedly we haven’t had the luxury of for just about the whole season), then my line up would be:

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

............Bosingwa...........................JT ..................Carvalho.......................Ashley

..........Deco..................Essien..........Lamps................Joey

...................................Drogba.............................Anelka

Subs:

Carlo

Alex

Belletti

Mikel

Ballack

Kalou

And/or 2 or 3 youngsters

Edited December 10, 2008 by Nibs