Our Best Team

This topic contains 23 replies, has 5 voices, and was last updated by aindro aindro 1 year, 6 months ago.

Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 24 total)
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  • #2132123
    Luckydestiny
    Luckydestiny
    Participant
    • :

    So while we all have different feelings on tuchels sacking, I think we all agree he was not getting enough out of the team.

    When Tuchel first came in we were in a similar situation to the one we are in now, but we have a markedly different squad now and when you think how quickly he solved the problems initially it does seem as though he was struggling with this squad.

    Firstly, I don’t think the profile of the squad is best suited to a back 3 anymore. I don’t think we have the depth in quality centre backs for it to be sustainable game after game. When I look at the profile of defenders I think it is screaming out back 4;

    RB
    James
    Azpilicueta
    RCB
    Fofana
    Chalobah
    LCB
    Silva
    Koulibaly
    LB
    Chilwell
    Cucerella

    Midfield
    If we have a back 4 then we need to find the best structure to defend, either 442 or or a variant of 451/4231.

    We will struggle to find a reliable, fit and consistent anchorman out of the players we have and so I don’t think we can play with a 6 and two 8s but would love to be wrong on that.

    I think we need a double pivot, and here are our options, pick 2 of;

    Kante – World class when fit, Hardly ever fit.

    Jorginho – Regressing fast but still useful providing his partner is mobile and tracks back

    Kovacic – Actually one of the best box to Box mids in the world…when fit. Perfect with either jorginho or kante

    Zakaria – He is just a loan but we need him to be an option for us this year. If he can defend, move and keep the ball he could find himself playing a lot of games for us.

    Ruben – Not decisive or effective in final third but imo a great squad player and good box to box.

    I do not see Gallagher as deep midfielder.

    Our best option for midfield pair on paper is kovacic and kante, but their injury records suggest we will often see jorginho with Ruben/Zakaria. Either way out of the 4 remaining spots to select for forward positions we will need 2 to be able to defend wide and track full backs.

    This is where it is really tricky. If we are to go with a base of back 4 and double pivot in front, how do we arrange the remainaining 4 players in and out of possesion based on player ability?

    The Front 4.

    Now just looking at the quality of the players available, It would appear that Sterling, Aubameyang, Mount and Havertz are the best individual players, but can they work in a system like this?

    I would think in defence that Havertz and Mount would have to be wide, sterling could do it but I think we better allowing him to stay high with auba.

    So putting this together I think our best 11 would be 442 in defence and 4222 in offence with Mason and havertz coming centrally from wide positions in offence allowing space on wings for James and chilwell to get involved.

    I think Gallagher is perfect to deputise for either Mount or havertz in this type of system.

    I think whoever comes in will certainly need to find a new approach that better suits our squad and I think something along the lines of 442/4222 suits our players;

    GK
    Mendy
    Kepa

    RB
    James
    Azpilicueta

    RCB
    Fofana
    Chalobah

    LCB
    Silva
    Koulibaly

    LB
    Chilwell
    Cucerella

    CM
    Jorginho
    Kante
    Kovacic
    Ruben
    Zakaria

    LM/LAM
    Mount
    Gallagher

    RM/RAM
    Havertz
    Ziyech

    SECOND STRIKER
    Sterling
    Pulisic

    STRIKER
    Aubameyang
    Broja

    How do you guys see us shaping up moving forward? What would you do?

    #2132126
    Luckydestiny
    Luckydestiny
    Participant
    • :

    I think a 4231 with a number 10 will be difficult to maintain game after game, we have too many players who would want to be the 10 who would be played in a different position. I think with a 442/4222 we would give license to both kai and Mason to come inside in to central areas a lot.

    #2132141
    BlueLion
    BlueLion
    Participant
    • :

    I agree with a lot of what you’re saying there, Lucky. Just watched this vid on youtube which details how Potter sets up his current Brighton side, and how that could translate over to the Chelsea squad. Pretty interesting!

    #2132142
    Luckydestiny
    Luckydestiny
    Participant
    • :

    Thanks BL will give it a watch now 👍

    #2132149
    Luckydestiny
    Luckydestiny
    Participant
    • :

    Just watched it, thought the line ups suggested were a bit scary to be honest. Looks amazing in offence but no detail on how that type of team would defend or transition between defence and offence. Looked very vulnerable with so many attacking players, with kovacic holding on his own as though he is always an option.

    In my opinion we need a structure that suits the squad and I would hope if Potter comes in he would establish that rather than getting us playing the exact same system as at Brighton.

    The guy who does these vids is such a nice chap, seen him on many other channels on YT and he has been on sky sports.

    #2132150
    BlueLion
    BlueLion
    Participant
    • :

    Haha, completely agree. It would be exciting, thats for sure! But I could see that central midfield (or lack of) getting completely overrun. There’d be goals in that team, for sure, but we’d surely concede more too. It’s almost the exact opposite philosophy of Tuchel, yet still playing with a pretty similar formation.

    #2132319
    aindro
    aindro
    Participant
    • :

    Thiago Silva is good but he’s 37. We can’t play 2 CB. Except if Fofana turns out to be really good. Otherwise, duo Silva – Koulibaly will be a disaster. Both not quick. Then I choose back 3 for our defense. The double six was our strong point, now with recurring injuries of Kanté, I am not sure how to tweak that.

    I would then go for a 3-5-2. It would take Mount & Gallagher time and willingness to adapt to a more defensive role though.

    Mendy – Chalobah,Silva,Fofana – James,Gallagher,Kovacic,Mount,Chilwell – Sterling/Havertz,Broja/Aubameyang.

    Pulisic, Ziyech, should not be anywhere near the starting 11. They simply aren’t good enough. Koulibaly either, not good enough IMO.

    #2132351
    Luckydestiny
    Luckydestiny
    Participant
    • :

    Aindro, one less centre back equals one more body in final third. I thought we were fine in second half with koulibaly and fofana as a 2 with koulibaly playing deepest. If we were still solid as a 3 I wouldn’t argue against it. But we are conceding however we play so my focus is getting the best players on the pitch. Two lines of 4 will always be a good defensive shape.

    Play 3 at the back and we only get 3 offensive players in the side instead of 4.

    The only argument for me that has weight is that James and chilwell are so good as wing backs we need to play a wing back system.

    I think it’s possible to play a back 4 system which will allow them to play very offensively we just need the the right set up behind them, the 2 deeper midfielders can form a diamond with the 2 centre backs when we have the ball, this would allow a base of 4 to guard counters while James and chilwell are high and wide. Mount and Havertz/Gallagher can come in centrally to help control midfield and support front 2.

    #2132362
    Luckydestiny
    Luckydestiny
    Participant
    • :

    Aindro, I’m thinking of something like this

    In defence

    James***Fofana***Silva***Chilwell

    Havertz**Kovacic***Ruben**Mount

    *****Aubameyang****Sterling******

    In Offence

    *************Silva***************
    ****Fofana************Ruben******
    ************Kovacic**************

    James***Havertz***Mount***Chilwell

    ******Aubameyang****Sterling******

    Ruben could be replaced by Zakaria or Kovacic and Kovacic could be replaced by Kante or Jorginho.

    #2132365
    BlueLion
    BlueLion
    Participant
    • :

    Sorry but I’m not buying into this idea that we can’t play with a back for because our central defenders aren’t good enough. Thats complete nonsense. Other teams manage it just fine with far lesser players than we have!

    #2132366
    BlueLion
    BlueLion
    Participant
    • :

    *back four, that should read!

    #2132368
    Luckydestiny
    Luckydestiny
    Participant
    • :

    Agreed BL

    #2132369
    Luckydestiny
    Luckydestiny
    Participant
    • :

    And when pool do it they just leave a back 2 with fabinho in front. We could play with a base of 4 like above and still get James and Chilwell high and wide as well as get our 4 best offensive players on the field.

    #2132500
    aindro
    aindro
    Participant
    • :

    Pool has van Dijk. He is a superb defender, a class different than the others. At least before this season. Luckydestiny, a good formation. But I stick with I’ve said before: RLC will be Tuchel’s downfall. How technical he is, for me he is a liability as he doesn’t want to do defensive duties. He does worse than Jorginho IMO. He is mostly static waiting for the ball to be passed to him. Jorginho, Kovacic, Kanté: they always move around, in search for a space so that others can pass the ball to them. Honestly I don’t see that in RLC and personnally I don’t want him anywhere near our starting 11.

    If we play with two central midfielders and without Kanté: it will still be Jorginho & Kovacic until Zakaria shows what he can do. Our midfielder is like a collander!! Thiago Silva is really good, world class even, but he is not 30 anymore. He is 37. And he is not as big as van Dijk. That’s why if Fofana is that good, we may pair him with Fofana in 2 CB. But he’s played 2 matches with us and against Zagreb: it was his fault their goal. He wasn’t quick enough. Koulibaly, I think I’ve seen enough. Forget him. We got duped. Cucurella too, we got scammed. Not sure why we weren’t interested in Mee or Tarkowski before.

    So until Fofana shows what he can do, I am sticking with my back 3. Back 4 with James & Chilly too advanced is just too dangerous for me

    #2132501
    aindro
    aindro
    Participant
    • :

    To add to that, let’s compare how at ease Mendy with the ball (with feet) with Allison. Or with Ederson. Mendy is a fine shot-stopper when not distracted like recently. But he is no way a sweeper-keeper. He is not technical at all. His passing is often questionable. His decision making is often questionable. Playing high with 2 CB, I don’t just think it’s suitable with the players at our disposal at the moment.

    #2132502
    Luckydestiny
    Luckydestiny
    Participant
    • :

    Aindro, Ruben is a squad player and imo a good one, only reason I put him in current starting 11 is we can not plan on kante being fit and Jorginho is not mobile enough to provide cover to counter attacks. Hopefully zakaria is good.

    RLC is good box to box imo, he just has no ability in final 3rd which is why I would utilise him in a role in which he is never in the box.

    #2132504
    Luckydestiny
    Luckydestiny
    Participant
    • :

    And yes we don’t have VVD but my suggested set up provides 4 players at the base to defend counters as opposed to pools 3.

    #2132508
    Luckydestiny
    Luckydestiny
    Participant
    • :

    Honestly while we will still probably have a base of 3 at the back when on ball under Potter, I don’t think all 3 will be centre backs. It will be a fluid system.

    #2132747
    MightyM
    MightyM
    Participant
    • :

    Let’s be honest the team was in free fall with no chance of recovering and that is what it’s all about, some clubs just want to survive, others demand success, if you can’t achieve that then you must go, furthermore his type of personality was not good for the face of the club. In addition you have to share the owners ideals, which is success for the team plus developing young players to become great players, Tuchel had no interest in that. We can’t buy expensive ready made players forever.

    #2132753
    MightyM
    MightyM
    Participant
    • :

    Whose decision was it to retain Azpliqueta? The opposition love it when he plays down the right back area, his the biggest liability in the whole team. We cannot carry old players unless they can perform like Silva.

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