Three ways Chelsea could line up in 2018/19

For the ninth time since Roman Abramovich took over in 2003, Chelsea are setting up for the upcoming season with a new manager.

Maurizio Sarri will be the man to lead the Blues out in their first Premier League game against Huddersfield Town on Saturday, having taken charge last month.

The Italian has already overseen three pre-season friendlies and the Community Shield final defeat, all of which have shown the club still have a lot more work to do.

Unlike Antonio Conte, the man he replaced, Sarri utilises a 4-3-3 formation, bringing an end to the three-at-the-back Chelsea had used over the past two seasons to some success.

As a result, Chelsea are a work in progress and will continue to be so for the upcoming season – especially with the future of some of their biggest players in doubt.

With all that in mind, here are three ways Chelsea could line up under Sarri this year.

1. First-choice XI

Once everyone is back, and assuming no one leaves (or arrives) before the end of the transfer window, this should be the favoured starting XI for Sarri at Chelsea.

In goal, if they can keep hold of him, there is no one better at the club than Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and his presence will be vital at the back for Chelsea.

Ahead of him will be the foundation of Chelsea’s attacks for the upcoming season, in the return of a back four at Stamford Bridge. Cesar Azpilicueta is likely to be captain next season with Gary Cahill’s future in doubt and will return to right-back to provide defensive solidity to the flank – showing he can play anywhere. Two ball-playing centre-backs line up next to him with both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen known for their passing ability and calmness on the ball, even in close proximity to their own goal.

At left-back, Alonso presents the best option at the club, and his attacking style of play will fit into Sarri’s left-heavy system, though he will be caught out a lot defensively given his best position is as a wing-back.

Slightly ahead of the defence will be the glue holding Sarri’s system together, with Jorginho once again being key for the Italian, as he was at Napoli. The midfielder is the link between defence and attack, dropping deep to play alongside his back four when on the ball, to help move it around and up the pitch.

Alongside him on the right, the ever-brilliant N’Golo Kante may become even better in Sarri’s system, able to move about a bit more while teaming up with Jorginho to shut down opposition attacks.

The other position in the trio may be the most competitive at Chelsea but Ross Barkley should get the nod. While Cesc Fabregas has proven a good player at Chelsea, he does not have the legs to fill the role that Marek Hamsik had at Napoli under Sarri. Barkley has not enjoyed the best start to life at Stamford Bridge since joining in January but he was trusted in pre-season and has shown promise, using his attacking mind to the benefit of the team.

Up front, Alvaro Morata has not had the best pre-season but represents the striker most likely to start under Sarri with Olivier Giroud reportedly not in the Italian’s plans, and Michy Batshuayi as well as Tammy Abraham’s roles unclear. The Spaniard is certainly not the worst striker but his low confidence could be a problem if it carries over the next few months.

On the right side of him, Pedro has impressed in pre-season and having recently signed a one-year contract extension, looks to be part of Sarri’s immediate future – so will likely start over Willian thanks to his goalscoring prowess and direct style.

While on the other side, assuming he stays, Eden Hazard will cause havoc as a very attacking left winger, given freedom under his new manager which he certainly did not receive under Conte.

2. Europa League rotation

A poor campaign under Antonio Conte last season means Chelsea have to contest in the Europa League this year, but it can provide Sarri with a chance to test different players in his system, and give younger players more opportunities as Arsene Wenger did with Arsenal.

In goal, Willy Cabellero just gets the nod ahead of Marcin Bulka (and Robert Green) due to his experience at a higher level, though the young Polish shot-stopper’s future does look bright.

While Victor Moses was used as a wing-back under Conte, he is certainly not a defender, meaning Davide Zappacosta should start at right-back given Chelsea’s current lack of options. Alongside him, David Luiz and Ethan Ampadu bring a mixture of experience and youth with the latter looking more comfortable in the Chelsea team with every performance.

Luiz has been given a fresh chance under Sarri but should not be a starter for the first-team, as he is still showing signs of weakness, but he will be a good leader for Ampadu to grow and learn under. On the left, Emerson Palmieri has not been given many chances so far at Chelsea, but could use his time on the pitch well to push for a starting place given Alonso’s weaknesses.

In the Jorginho role, Danny Drinkwater represents Chelsea’s best replacement for the Italian, given his passing range as well as calmness defensively, and the former Leicester City man will have a lot of work on his hands to stop attackers getting at his side’s back four.

Cesc Fabregas has been used in pre-season as the right-sided central midfielder and a Europa League XI may prove to be his best chance at getting game time, with limited mobility not yet hampering his passing abilities. Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be the driving force of the midfield, using his unique skill set to join the attack as he did on loan at Crystal Palace.

With Willian likely fighting Pedro for the first-team spot, Moses will be relying on the cup competitions for his game time, given the dissolvement of his wing-back role. The Nigerian can attack and will get at opposition defenders, but can track back when needed – which he will be with Fabregas behind him.

The other wing sees the exciting Callum Hudson-Odoi getting his best opportunities, with the 17-year-old having been one of the shining lights of Chelsea’s pre-season. Testing himself against defences from over the continent will give the youngster invaluable experience which he can use to further enhance his game.

In the middle, Tammy Abraham could use the chance to prove himself, having often been Morata’s substitute replacement in pre-season.

3. Hazard as a false-nine

With Alvaro Morata yet to impress Sarri since the Italian’s arrival this summer, the former Napoli boss could take inspiration from one of his decisions in Serie A.

In the absence of a real striker, Sarri converted Dries Mertens from a winger to a centre-forward/false nine of sorts and Napoli reaped the rewards with the Belgian scoring 51 league goals since his positional change.

At Chelsea, Eden Hazard can be that man, having already been tested as a false nine under Antonio Conte albeit with little success. But Sarri’s system fits Hazard, with his pace and dribbling ability he can cause havoc on defenders alongside Willian and Hudson-Odoi – who would be given the first-team role he needs to develop into the player many hope he will become.

Four of the back five remain the same as the first choice, but Emerson can be given a chance at left-back to combine with Hudson-Odoi and provide some defensive stability down the left, once Sarri has moulded him.

In midfield, the partnership of Jorginho and N’Golo Kante is a shoo-in and will be in the Premier League unless injury or suspension means otherwise. But alongside them, Ruben Loftus-Cheek can have the chance at Chelsea he deserves after a good season on loan at Crystal Palace.

The Englishman is imposing in midfield, but despite his height and power, still possesses elegance on the ball to be able to dance through opponents, giving him two ways of beating his man, depending on the opposition and the situation.

But Hazard is very much THE man in this formation, with Chelsea’s successes or failures in his hands and dependent on how well he can adapt under Sarri.

The post Three ways Chelsea could line up in 2018/19 appeared first on Squawka News.

From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2vr7ouW