Team for tomorrow

I think both line ups look like 4-3-3 formations, which is Mourinho's favourite:

1st half:
-----------------------Cech-------------------
Wallace--------Kalas---Terry---------Cole
----------------------Essien-------------------
---------------Lamps-----De Bruyne------
Schurrle-----------------------------Piazon
---------------------Lukaku-------------------

2nd Half:
--------------------Blackman-----------------
Ivanovic-----Cahill-----Chalobah-----Bertrand
------------------Van Ginkel-----------------------
------------Ramires----De Bruyne---------------
Moses-----------------------------------Hazard
------------------------Ba------------------------------

He may be initially pushing square pegs into round holes (we would all eventually like to see Chalobah in midfield as an example), but he's waiting for everyone to get back from their holidays.

The bigger question though, may be what Mata's role will be if Mourinho continues with his 4-3-3 formation? Last year, when Mata was at his best, he had 2 defensive midfield players behind him doing his defensive duties and allowing him to focus on attack. But it isn't really Mourinho's style to allow any player to get away with that, especially players in the middle of midfield. Of course he wants creativity - but he also wants hard graft. Maybe Hazard or De Bruyne would be more likely candidates for that central position, as they have the ability but also the physical ability too. Is Mata more likely to be pushed back to the wing? A little early to know - but I'm interested to see what Mourinho does there.

I don't think it's 433. Looks more like 4231's, especially the team in the 2nd half as Van Ginkel can't really play as a lone holding midfielder

Mata is still just as dangerous on the wing as he is as an AM, plus it will give us great defensive ability in midfield.

Don Mata - I have to admit that I am not familiar enough with van Ginkel to know exactly what role he will play, but even if Ramires is asked to play a similarly defensive role in midfield alongside van Ginkel (a waste of his incredible engine to get up and down the pitch, in my opinion), I still doubt that De Bruyne would be allowed to stay as far forward as Mata was last year. Which means that there will be 3 players in the middle getting up, but also defending. In the same way that Lampard used to under Mourinho last time - when Lampard still had the energy to get up and back.

The wingers may be allowed more freedom to attack, and perhaps a single central midfield player will join the attack too - but knowing Mourinho he will want them all supporting the defense when we don't have the ball. Particularly the players in the middle. Just my opinion.

I think the 1st half will 4-4-2 like this:
Cech
Wallace, Kalas, Terry, Cole
Piazon. Essien, Lampard, De Bruyne
Schurrle, Lukaku
2nd half 4-2-3-1
Blackman
Ivanovich, Cahill, Chalobah, Bertrand
Ramires, Van Ginkle
Moses, Hazard, De Bruyne
Ba

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator

Gazza - er, yes it is. Or 4-5-1 if you want to call it that - but it's basically the same.

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator

Gazza
At Porto he played predominantly a 4-4-2 diamond with Deco at the tip of the diamond or sometines he changed it to a 4-2-3-1. The only club he's ever played a 4-3-3 formation on a regular basis is us.

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator