[I-Got-The-BLUES]

Don't know if this has been discussed, but since I was reading this blog from Old Blue Eyes on Chelsea.com (http://www.chelseafc.com/page/Old_Bl...730725,00.html), I was wondering if the 4-4-2 diamond is the answer for us, and are you happy with it, or are you more comfy with the Mourinho 4-3-3?

Also what's the best personnel for this?

I'm sure Drogba and Anelka are automatic for the top 2
The backline (barring an unexpected exit from JT), is pretty much set.
But the midfield?
Lampard, Ballack, Essien, Mikel, Joey, Kalou, Zhirkov, Malouda, and Deco.

Hugely important game....who do you start, and where?

[Kazuma]

I talked to Blue Celery and asked him what the diamond looked like. He said it looked good and that our possession was great, but it became a problem when Deco came on.

Personally, I want to see the 4-3-3 or the 4-2-3-1 that Hiddink played.

[Master_Chief123]

Originally Posted by Kazuma

Personally, I want to see the 4-3-3 or the 4-2-3-1 that Hiddink played.

Agreed, if Malouda is on form, Joe Cole stays healthy, Anelka stays solid and Zhirkov does okay, then we finally really have the personnel to play the 4-3-3 after we've been complaining for like 2 seasons..

[Ben7021]

Seems a little weird to bring in Zhirkov to play a diamond. I guess I would guess something like this?

------Mikel------
Essien------Zhirkov
------Lampard----

I dunno. Not the best role for Lampard but I'll be surprised if we don't try to stick Zhirkov in there somehow, and I don't see him fitting anywhere else.

[Dear_Claudio]

A little alteration:

-----------------Drogba-----------------
--------------Joey/Aguero/???-----------
-Zhirkov------Lampard---------Essien----
-----------------Mikel-------------------

I think using a SS in a roaming role off of Drogba would allow Lampard to play his natural position. I don't think there is any question Lamps is best playing box-to-box rather than more advanced. However, unless we sign that type of player or until Cole returns we don't really have that option... Mikel, Zhirkov, Essien, Lampard is still a hell of a midfield and I'm becoming a bigger fan of Anelka all the time - he looks like he's finally settled as opposed to Malouda who has been the same old shite in his first two games. I know it's basing a lot off of two measly pre-season games but the LM must play wider or else we will be looking like a Scolari team (FBs = only width) without that #10 to play the tip of the diamond. I think Malouda fancies himself coming inside while as Zhirkov would be much more accustomed to touchline hugging and crossing. What's the point of having two strikers if we can't get the ball wide?

[addicted2chelsea]

Originally Posted by Dear_Claudio

A little alteration:

-----------------Drogba-----------------
--------------Joey/Aguero/???-----------
-Zhirkov------Lampard---------Essien----
-----------------Mikel-------------------

I think using a SS in a roaming role off of Drogba would allow Lampard to play his natural position. I don't think there is any question Lamps is best playing box-to-box rather than more advanced. However, unless we sign that type of player or until Cole returns we don't really have that option... Mikel, Zhirkov, Essien, Lampard is still a hell of a midfield and I'm becoming a bigger fan of Anelka all the time - he looks like he's finally settled as opposed to Malouda who has been the same old shite in his first two games. I know it's basing a lot off of two measly pre-season games but the LM must play wider or else we will be looking like a Scolari team (FBs = only width) without that #10 to play the tip of the diamond. I think Malouda fancies himself coming inside while as Zhirkov would be much more accustomed to touchline hugging and crossing. What's the point of having two strikers if we can't get the ball wide?

This is what i want , from what iv heard from Russians and others that know Zhirkovs game , he will be replacing Malouda in the starting lineup soon.

[Jfranse]

not so sure about the diamond yet. i think it limits our players and our strengths. no width to it. i think the diamond keeps some of our best players off of the pitch. and everyone's looking at essien playing the right side of the diamond, i think this is one of the most overlooked aspects of the formation so far, i don't think that's essiens strength at all. and i don't think he looked too comfortable in it either. i think we finally have the tools to really play a 4-3-3. (or 4-5-1 on defense). and this very easily moves to the 4-2-3-1 when essien drops back to help mikel, allowing for more fluid position changes and movements.

defense is set. then you take our three best mids, mikel, lamps and essien. stick them in there, let them do what they do.

then you have 3 positions up top to use our best players instead of 2, while forcing someone back into the midfield. this allows the two wide front men to get out wide to cover the backs and also get forward. that cover on the touchlines then lets lampard and essien get in the midfield and control play.

at that point you can have drogba in center, with anelka able to cover him, or play right. joey out right when fit. and on the left you have 3 players competing for a spot in the Zhirkov, Malouda, and Sturridge. i think it allows the formation to flourish and puts our strongest players in their strongest positions.

IMPORTANT: someone noted that the best work so far has come from the left side. i think the reason is essien is not a winger, he can play out there but doesn't have the natural link up play with a full back that malouda and zhirkov would. it just then asks a lot of the RB to stretch and get forward.

on another note though, when joey is fit, i could see the diamond working with him at the top. allowing the two strikers to work the channels more if he is central, and also allowing him to roam more while the strikers are staying at the top.

wow, okay so now that i think about it, we could play a lot of different formations effectively, i think getting our #10 back will open up our possibilities.

[Lamps>Gerrard]

I think it'll be a nice change from always playing with one up top. With Lamps in a more advanced role and Anelka and Drogba up top this could be awesome.

[lobomojo]

Not sure where to put this but some very encouraging discusion regarding Mikel Obi's role on the team (which of course could be wiped out if we insanely buy Pirlo)

"The 22-year-old, who has just signed a new five-year contract, has progressed into an effective rather than exciting midfielder, powerful instead of pleasing to the eye*, but now Ancelotti wants to turn him into the heartbeat of the team.

The Italian knows what it's like to be overshadowed in a team full of stars. As a combative midfielder, he was often overlooked when it came to handing out the plaudits during his playing career at AC Milan, where he won two European Cups.

While Ancelotti had Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten hogging the headlines, for Mikel it is Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

The Italian said: "I have a lot of trust in Mikel, I think he can be the playmaker of this team. He is a young player, but has great quality, both technical and tactical.

"For the present and for the future he is a very important player for us. We are very happy he has signed a new contract and I hope that he stays at Chelsea for a lot of years. I would like that he puts in his great quality for the team."

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...o?ito=newsnow&


* though that "powerful instead of pleasing" is the utter and ridiculous crap from journo's that drives me insane, it is meant to be a sport for men (and badass booters with hooters), not a u-5 dance recital

[yasik19]

Whatever system scores the most goals and concedes the least is fine with me.