According to Oscar, Conte has been training the team to play a 4-2-4 formation. Now they could be training to adapt to this formation for the time being, as there are various players who have not came back yet. However if Conte chooses to adapt to this formation, how do you think the starting 11 will look like?
With the signing of Kante I was expecting us to revert a more familiar formation of a 4-3-3, with Matic, Fabregas and Kante in midfield. However if they are preparing to play a 4-2-4, the centre midfield spots will be more competitive than ever. RLC has recently been asked to play further up the pitch, perhaps Conte figures that he might get more games further up the pitch, and it might actually suit RLC, as he has always struggled with playing as a CM as he doesn't seem to have the stamina.
Whats also interesting is the possibility of us playing two up front. Batshuayi who seems to me as a very good talent could play up front next to Diego Costa, and might rotate with either RLC or Remy to play up front next to Costa. What could be plausible is that we see Hazard moved into a striking role. He has previously played up front for us, and hasn't done a bad job at it. Offers great hold up play, and can link up play with the wide players well. He could make a very good second striker in my opinion. Also despite being a very good winger, he doesn't give us good natural width. He always has the tendencies to come inside, why not give him a more central role up the pitch.
So what I want to ask is if we do set up for a 4-2-4 for next season - who would be the midfielders and forwards in the starting 11?
Also whats the likelihood of us using this formation in the premier league?
Here is in my opinion what the midfield and forwards could look like.
Willian-----Hazard-----Costa-------Pedro
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--------------Kante ------Fabregas----------
If Batshuayi comes on, we could see Hazard pushed onto the wing, same goes for RLC is he comes on as a sub.
http://metro.co.uk/2016/07/23/oscar-reveals-chelsea-will-use-4-2-4-formation-under-antonio-conte-6024269/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3701076/Ruben-Loftus-Cheek-attributes-striker-says-Chelsea-manager-Antonio-Conte-scoring-Wolfsberger-friendly.html
4-2-4
posted on 23/7/16
Every player looks inexperienced until given experience, I would throw Aina in for the remainder of our pre season games and if he continues to impress start him against West Ham. If we can bring this kid through it'd be brilliant.
posted on 23/7/16
comment by Cuchillo (U20893)
posted 55 minutes ago
I'd play Batshauayi upfront with Costa and have Pedro in the bench, coming off as a sub.
Aina is a bit inexperienced fro my liking, I would go with Ivanovic for now. That said we desperately need to add first teamers to that defence, it looks pretty poor going into the next season
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Cuchillo, this week I did reply on a couple of your messages, anyway ref Ivanovic, if we play him and as I said before it is a disaster, waiting to happen. in my opinion he has gone, nowhere near the player he was. I appreciate your opinion on Aina being too young, but I think at this stage I would prefer him or another RB being brought in. I also did say ealier this week, that rather than be looking to spend 60mil plus on Morata I would prefer we spent it on defenders.
The defence still looks very week to me.
Cahill has been a great servant and is a really steady defender but even he has slipped in last few months.
My opinion is if Zouma comes back through that bad injury, we need to build the team around him. Firstly though JT still has a big role to play.
But Zouma is the way forward, I hope and pray he comes back the same player, a little rough round the edges we know but with time and patience this guy will in my opinion become one of the finest defenders we have seen in many years at SB.
posted on 23/7/16
comment by Bridge of dreams (U8917)
posted 0 seconds ago
comment by Cuchillo (U20893)
posted 55 minutes ago
I'd play Batshauayi upfront with Costa and have Pedro in the bench, coming off as a sub.
Aina is a bit inexperienced fro my liking, I would go with Ivanovic for now. That said we desperately need to add first teamers to that defence, it looks pretty poor going into the next season
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Cuchillo, this week I did reply on a couple of your messages, anyway ref Ivanovic, if we play him and as I said before it is a disaster, waiting to happen. in my opinion he has gone, nowhere near the player he was. I appreciate your opinion on Aina being too young, but I think at this stage I would prefer him or another RB being brought in. I also did say ealier this week, that rather than be looking to spend 60mil plus on Morata I would prefer we spent it on defenders.
The defence still looks very week to me.
Cahill has been a great servant and is a really steady defender but even he has slipped in last few months.
My opinion is if Zouma comes back through that bad injury, we need to build the team around him. Firstly though JT still has a big role to play.
But Zouma is the way forward, I hope and pray he comes back the same player, a little rough round the edges we know but with time and patience this guy will in my opinion become one of the finest defenders we have seen in many years at SB.
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sorry weak
posted on 23/7/16
If you ask I'd change the whole CB's (including Zouma) and buy a decent LB or RB.
I agree with Cahill too.He is nit my cup of tea. JT is too slow for the high line Conte wants to implement and have the flexibility to change formation.
Zouma is still a raw material, prone to mistakes, at times lapses contraction, but he makes up for it with his pace. I
Christensen is the real deal, shame he is still tied up in that 2 year loan deal. He's had 1 year of professional of football under his best at the highest level. Next year he'll be playing CL. Though, he is still young, you can tell, he looks very assured and composed in the ball. Excellent positional play. If he continues like this for another year, we have a real gem in our hands.
I still feel we need a solid defender this year.
Regarding Moarata. I think he is an exceptional talent, Spain's first choice striker, yet at only 23.
posted on 24/7/16
Conte needs to find a formation that fits Cesc in, I've said it a million times without him we lack so much creativity it's frightening. I think a midfield 3 of Kante, Cesc and Oscar could work, Kante sitting the deepest with Oscar's energy and Fabs creativity just infront.
The only way I can see a 424 work is if we sacrifice Willians attacking threat and get him to track back.
posted on 24/7/16
Agree with Cuchillo and Bridge of Dreams, the defence needs a lot of work on. None of the back four fills me with much confidence, and I think we partly set up the way did during the second half of our title winning season because the back four had some very serious cracks.
The issue we have is that we have a back four which is more confident when the team is sitting back to defend, than it is when we have the ball. Ivanovic, Terry and Cahill are so vulnerable to being countered, we really need some more quality in our back four.
I'm happy with the signings so far, and I would consider this transfer window a success with we bring in a quality defender.
posted on 24/7/16
Mail claimimg Ivanovic out for 3 weeks with shoulder injury.
posted on 24/7/16
Our defence is still a big issue. Out of the players fit to start the season - i.e. Terry, Ivanovic, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Aina, Baba, Papi and Hector - who would you actually feel confident playing as a first teamer.
To me, only Azpilicueta and Cahill (at a push) fit the bill. We are in dire need of another CB if we really want to challenge for the title.
posted on 24/7/16
I'd hate to see Kante and Fabregas together in a midfield 2. I still think what burned Matic out so completely was having to play alongside Fabregas and do all his defensive work for him as well as his own defensive duties. We cannot let that happen to Kante too.
posted on 24/7/16
Terry and Azpi for me are fine as starters, other two the problem.