Chelsea Season Preview: Formation
Chelsea started last season with Carlo Ancelotti’s well thought out diamond formation, which focused on having a strong impenetrable midfield. The diamond worked well until the African stars had to leave for the African Cup of Nations. Ivoirians Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, Nigerian John Obi Mikel and Ghanaian Michael Essien had to be absent for January and that’s when Ancelotti decided to change the formation around a bit. He did not think it suitable to continue with the diamond with players who were filling in for the missing players, and so introduced the 4-3-3 formation.
He told reporters, “I think that in some matches, we can change the system. We play with the diamond every match, but I think also we can use the wing. In some matches, where there is a lot of space in midfield, we can use the wing sometimes. We have Florent Malouda who can do that, and also Daniel Sturridge who can play there.” Ancelotti took the pundits criticism and built on it. It was said that Chelsea lacked width in the diamond formation and would do better with wingers. Ancelotti realized that Malouda and newcomer Sturridge could perform that role and discarded the diamond for the new wider formation.
The new 4-3-3 formation saw Chelsea go on a goal rampage, which ultimately won them the title. Even if the Blues had been equal with Manchester United on the points, Ancelotti’s side would have gone through simply because of the goal difference; they scored a staggering 103 goals, setting a new record in the process. Chelsea beat Portsmouth 5-0 and Aston Villa 7-0, the Blues would have scored more if it wasn’t for the final whistle. A variation of players scored on these occasions, including goal shy striker Salomon Kalou, left back Ashley Cole, winger Florent Malouda and the favorites: Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.
Ancelotti told reporters in a press conference, “When we play our best football, we are able to overcome any defense.” This statement holds true ever since the change of formation. Even though initially the diamond worked well for the Blues, there were some holes which became apparent after some important players were missing due to injury. Ancelotti did well to change the formation halfway through the season, which revitalized the London club and they went on to win the first double in their history. With more width added to the sides by the presence of Malouda and Kalou, and occasional help from the defensive players on either flank, there was a heap of crosses flying in for the forwards to benefit from them.
The 4-3-3 formation is defensive enough for Ancelotti to not worry, and attacking enough to ensure goals. It offers something the diamond formation never did, more fluidity. Never has Chelsea’s play been this smooth, the ball just seems to glide from one player to another and then effortlessly ends up at the back of the net. This formation also gave players more freedom instead of restricting them to a certain position or forcing them to play box-to-box football. Former Chelsea player, Joe Cole, Malouda, Yuri Zhirkov, Deco and Anelka flourished under this formation, even if they did not score as many goals, their overall performance improved and had a positive effect on the rest of the team.
But there have been some changes in the squad since last season; Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, Deco, Belletti and most recently Ricardo Carvalho have all left Stamford Bridge and Ancelotti does not have sufficient reinforcements. So far the only signing Ancelotti has made is Benayoun, who was not a wise choice; not only is he 30 years old, which means he will be too old to adapt, he also has a history of not winning anything. A more superstitious manager would have thought twice before signing him – the Israeli has gone 8 years without winning any silverware. Chelsea plan to bring in Ramires, who seems to be walking all the way from Portugal to Stamford Bridge, that is the only explanation as to why he hasn’t arrived in London as yet and Ozil, who is also being chased by Barcelona so a move to Chelsea is doubtful.
Tags: