Chelsea Tactics and Transfers: Euro 2016, Michy Batshuayi and 4-2-4

In the latest edition of Tactics and Transfers, we take a look at potential Chelsea transfers (including Michy Batshuayi) and Antonio Conte’s 4-2-4.

Euro 2016 has progressed into the knockout rounds and despite some early upsets (we’re looking at you England) the tournament has lived up to its billing as perhaps the most high level international football tournament in the world. Belgium have come alive alongside Germany and the Italians, in their perhaps most appealing way, have found a way to compete despite having a side many people felt was quite devoid of talent.

LYON, FRANCE – JUNE 13: Antonio Conte (L) head coach of Italy gestures during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E match between Belgium and Italy at Stade des Lumieres on June 13, 2016 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) /

The success of Italy in the tournament is then something of a double-edged sword for Chelsea. Obviously you want your manager focusing on club business as soon as humanly possible. The other major competitors in the Premier League are going about their days getting business done. Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal are all making strides in the transfer market. Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger respectively are at their drawing boards thinking of ways to plot Chelsea’s demise.

That said, the further Italy go the stronger the message that they are not dead and buried is. Conte is a fantastic manager and his ability to manage Italy to this high standard in the Euros is a strong message to send other teams.

Yes, Chelsea were awful last year. Yes, it was a shameful and embarrassing club to observe the entire year. But Chelsea have a good manager coming in and the good times could very well be on their way back to Stamford Bridge. Conte’s success with Italy perfectly encapsulates the fighting spirit that has made Chelsea and their quiet small corner of West London such a powerhouse in English football.

So, ultimately, would it be nice if Conte were able to get down to Chelsea business sooner rather than later? Absolutely, but if he can’t, then let his success at Euro 2016 serve as a warning to Chelsea’s competitors next season.

Finally, Chelsea have also reportedly broken their duck in the transfer market. This summer, according to Piet De Visser (Chief Scout), is going to be a very busy one. That is either a falsity or Chelsea are again, as has happened way too often in recent years, finding that their economic ideals don’t match those in the market.

There is a third option, though. Without Antonio Conte in office at Cobham it will be hard for Chelsea to make signings especially when so many of those signings are busy chasing international glory. A combination of all three options has resulted in a relatively quiet summer season thus far for the Blues.

BORDEAUX, FRANCE – JUNE 08: Michy Batshuayi in action during the Belgium soccer team training at stade Chaban Delmas on June 8, 2016 in Bordeaux, France. (Photo by Romain Perrocheau/Getty Images) /

The signing Chelsea have reportedly agreed is the £33 million deal for Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi. Batshuayi is a very good player and his combination of skills and age seem like a perfect building block for this Chelsea squad moving forward. His skill set may be a bit too close to that of striker-at-large Diego Costa but I’m sure the move was run by Conte before it was made.

Chelsea will need to add a couple of players, or promote Dominic Solanke and Tammy Abraham (an exciting proposition) as they own only two out-and-out strikers right now. Furthermore, both Diego Costa and Loic Remy are reportedly looking for moves away from Stamford Bridge.

With that, we can move towards addressing some of the outbound Chelsea player rumors that we have heard. First, Diego Costa and his apparent need to return to Atletico Madrid. Frankly, Chelsea need to put their foot down. The players must understand that if the club suffers they do too. It is not as if they all played spectacularly well last year and some magic made Chelsea end up in 10^th place.

It reflects poorly on the club if they allow players to serve them in such a way and still end up with whatever they want. Sure, some of the weaker ones will be upset but they will have to deal with it. One of the best things about Conte is that he doesn’t tolerate prima donnas or egos and he’ll turn this group of boys into men no matter what it takes.

TOULOUSE, FRANCE – JUNE 26: Eden Hazard of Belgium slides on his knees as he celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 round of 16 match between Hungary and Belgium at Stadium Municipal on June 26, 2016 in Toulouse, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /

It also appears that Eden Hazard return to form at Euro 2016 has rekindled the affections of Real Madrid. Chelsea should turn them down. Eden Hazard could actually end up staying for a long time and Chelsea should stand defiantly on this. They should absolutely refuse to sell him this season and they shouldn’t in the future for anything less than a world record bid.

Real Madrid want an exchange deal involving Alvaro Morata and cash. If the numbers are absurd you have to take it but I don’t see a Morata or Raphael Varane plus £60m bid coming through the doors. The signing of Batshuayi has essentially nullified the need to sign Morata and truly weakens Real’s negotiating position.

As the Radja Nainggolan saga continues to press on (despite his apparent five cigarette a day habit), Chelsea have been linked with an alternative defensive midfielder in N’Golo Kante. This is an interesting one. The situation in Leicester should be recognized as a modern world marvel or maybe even magic. Perhaps Kante is that good somewhere else but it may not be a great idea to bet on it.

A smarter move is playing either Ruben Loftus-Cheek in his preferred and natural defensive midfield position or cancel this rubbish Nathan Ake to Bournemouth move and let him play in the spot instead.

France’s midfielder N’Golo Kante drives the ball during the friendly football match between France and Scotland, at the St Symphorien Stadium in Longeville-lès-Metz, Eastern France, on June 4, 2016. / AFP / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) /

Sadly, it appears that Riechedly Bazoer has dropped off the radar and that’s just a tragedy for every Chelsea fan even those who don’t know it yet.

As has been the usual method in these columns, we’ll observe another one of Antonio Conte’s favored tactics. This time we shall be analyzing the 4-2-4. The 4-2-4 is a tactic that hasn’t been used in England in years and many people may not be familiar with it. It is an incredibly aggressive formation but it’s not as crazy as some would have you believe.

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For instance, the wingers in the 4-2-4 do a lot of tracking back. It’s not really feasible in modern day football to play with simply two midfielders. The wingers need to be flying wingers. You know the type, it’s just that Chelsea haven’t had any of them in years.

The first iteration of Cristiano Ronaldo was the best example. Someone who raced to the byline and covered miles every single game while banging crosses into the box. They are essentially marathon runners. Chelsea have played with inverted wingers for so long that the idea of traditional ones is almost foreign to some.

That, for instance, is why Juan Cuadrado will be back in Blue next year instead of Turin. He is a perfect winger for the system. Chelsea don’t really have a left-sided winger who is well suited to the system but I imagine Eden Hazard will figure it out or Kenedy or Pedro will fill be used.