Since the switch to 3-4-3, which has been a success so far, it is no surprise that other teams have often changed theirs to mirror ours, in order to stop us.
Yesterday, Spurs did it, and outplayed us.
During an interview with Conte, he was asked if it was possible for him to change the formation, and he said it's a possibility, but not immediate.
http://www.westlondonsport.com/chelsea/conte-happy-formation-says-change-possibility
For me, I've always maintained that Conte needs to have an alternative formation whenever teams try to stop us using our default formation.
This will make us highly unpredictable, as teams wouldn't know what formation we will be using.
I reiterate, yesterday's game was lost in the midfield battle. We were literally bossed in all departments.
If we had an extra player in the middle, Spurs may not have succeeded in whipping in those crosses, and we would've kept possession better than we did.
Assuming Conte goes all out to buy a deep lying midfield playmaker such as Verratti, this would be my ideal formation for some tough games:
(3-5-2)
______________Courtois____________
______Azpi______Luiz_____Cahill___
_______________Verratti_____________
Moses___Kante_______Matic___Alonso
___________Costa_____Hazard________
Adopting this system in some games doesn't mean Conte can't switch back to our default 3-4-3.
With this system, it gives the team more flexibility and unpredictability. It also creates an element of surprise when teams try to match our 3-4-3 system.
I know some of you would think its a knee-jerk reaction from me, but truth be told, what Spurs successfully showed other teams yesterday was a blueprint on how to beat Chelsea: match Chelsea's 3-4-3, press us higher up the pitch, and whip in crosses from the flanks (especially from the left).
City came close to doing it, but they fell short, simply because they weren't clinical enough, Spurs came close in our home game, but also fell short.
Let's not all assume that other teams won't come close to stopping us. In fact from hence forth, I won't be surprised if all the teams we face will mirror our system, and try to whip in crosses from both flanks.
I repeat, we need an alternative formation to fall back on, when teams try to mirror our system.
I personally think the 3-5-2 will suit us in the CL if we want to beat the big boys such as Bayern, Madrid, Barca et al, who are very good in keeping possession.
I for one hopes that Conte will go back to the drawing board, and implement another system we can always fall back on!
Change of formation a possibility-Conte
posted on 5/1/17
comment by SWTN Biggish (U7916)
posted 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
If I have a concern it is that we don't look better than teams around us when we play them..
In our two games agst Spurs the evidence suggests that we are not better than them
We were well beaten by both Liverpool and Arsenal and had an unconvincing win agst City
That does not fill me with a high level of confidence when we play these teams again and if we don't win the title i suspect it will because we failed to get good enough results against our immediate rivals.
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It's a worry indeed. Also against United the surprise of the early goal turned the game in our favour. I'm not convinced with the way we have approached big games. We can't defend as well as Conte's Juventus or Italy do so our counter attacking game plan has not been very effective. I hope Conte gets the players he wants and makes us a stronger team next season.
posted on 5/1/17
I said before the game I feel your wingbacks are your main weakness. Alonso is too slow, and going to 352 would mean more running for him to support a front two.
Moses has a good engine on him, but you do not become a specialist there overnight. Rose was similar to him a few years back, a forward, and it took a lot of work to get where he is now. We missed Rose so much at SB and yesterday he gave a masterclass on that role.
I would expect teams to target those two, especially with Cahill behind Alonso.
If I was your coach a top left sided player would be a priority, and Alonso would go in the 3. Then another option on the right
posted on 5/1/17
Change personnel (Kenedy, Zouma, Chalobah for Alonso, Cahill, Matic), persist with same formation.
posted on 5/1/17
Conte isn't going to drop team captain Cahill after a 13 game win streak for Zouma, a player who hasn't played for nearly a year and has never even played under the current management.
posted on 5/1/17
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 5/1/17
Kenedy for Alonso is the only change in personnel I'd make.
Kenedy has the potential to be a very good LWB.
Good with the ball, has pace, has a good left foot, csn dribble, and has eye for goal. Maybe needs to work on his positioning and defending.
posted on 6/1/17
comment by Superb (U6486)
Conte isn't going to drop team captain Cahill after a 13 game win streak for Zouma, a player who hasn't played for nearly a year and has never even played under the current management.
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Zouma has got matches under his belt (for reserves) and has been fit in full training with first team for weeks now (making the bench), not so far fetched to see him start matches now.
First start will surely be FA Cup, see where we go after that...
posted on 6/1/17
comment by Sideshow (U11809)
Alonso struggles to defend as a wing-back. Would never play him as a CB
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I would as an experiment at LCB against League 1 opposition.
posted on 6/1/17
comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Superb (U6486)
Conte isn't going to drop team captain Cahill after a 13 game win streak for Zouma, a player who hasn't played for nearly a year and has never even played under the current management.
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Zouma has got matches under his belt (for reserves) and has been fit in full training with first team for weeks now (making the bench), not so far fetched to see him start matches now.
First start will surely be FA Cup, see where we go after that...
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Yeah fair enough and hopefully we'll see a more of him from now on although he won't be taking Cahill's place anytime soon.
posted on 6/1/17
comment by bloodyblu4cfc.com® (Last Mata fan standing... (U1442)
Kenedy for Alonso is the only change in personnel I'd make.
Kenedy has the potential to be a very good LWB.
Good with the ball, has pace, has a good left foot, csn dribble, and has eye for goal. Maybe needs to work on his positioning and defending.
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If Conte can get Kenedy working then his agility and strength will come very well handy, which I would take over Alonso's marginal height advantage.
For me, Matic lost the invincibility/irreplaceable aura from 2 yrs ago. Dispensable.
Chalobah can quite easily displace this current Matic and produce greater output in all areas (dynamic pressing, exuberance, showing for the ball with angles, different dimension passing with both feet).