Chelsea FC: Jose Mourinho Must Change To The 4-3-3 Formation
Given Chelsea’s struggles, should Jose Mourinho change up the system?
As stubborn as Jose Mourinho may be, based on Chelsea FC’s current form and results this season the ‘Special One’ should consider making a formation change sooner, rather than later.
Currently, the Blues traditionally employ a 4-2-3-1 formation, utilizing two defensive midfielders, a No. 10, two wide attacking midfielders and a lone striker. Mourinho employed the 4-2-3-1 to great effect during last year’s victorious Premier League campaign. It allowed for Chelsea to play the way they do best: sit back and defend in a compact shape but get after and expose opposing teams on the counterattack.
When the Blues are at full strength and in top-form, the lineup pretty much picks itself. Thibaut Courtois is between the sticks behind a marauding backline consisting of Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry, Gary Cahill, and Cesar Azpilicueta. There is a midfield pivot of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas, with an attacking midfield trio of Eden Hazard, Oscar, and Willian. Diego Costa then leads the line at striker.
But, with every new season comes new challenges and new obstacles. New players join the club, while others leave, injuries occur, players get older, stars lose form, rivals and opposing teams adapt and get better. Sometimes despite past successes, a team must adapt.
More from The Pride of London
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea player ratings: Abysmal, reckless, wasteful
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea: 3 Blues talking points
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
With the talent and personnel that Chelsea can put on the pitch, the best way to utilize these players, in current form, is in a 4-3-3 formation. The biggest advantage the 4-3-3 has to offer is it’s versatility and flexibility.
The versatility of the midfield is key in the 4-3-3. Based on the opponent and the match situation at the time, the midfield shape can adjust between a more standard flat or holding midfield (a defensive shape with two or even three defensive midfielders providing the centre-backs with cover), a false-9 style 4-3-3 similar to what Barcelona have employed in the past, or an attacking shape with central midfielders and attacking midfielders pressing further up the pitch.
Throughout the season, Fabregas has been deployed in either the No. 10 spot or the defensive midfield pivot. Neither of these positions are the best way to utilize his deep-laying playmaking abilities. Ideally, Fabregas should sit in one of the holding midfield spots in the 4-3-3’s midfield trio. This allows him to continue to orchestrate the Chelsea attack, while at the same time giving him some cover and margin-for-error when it comes to his defensive responsibilities.
Oscar’s recent injury woes have him struggling for form, and when the No. 10 doesn’t play well in the 4-2-3-1, the whole formation falls apart. Playing him as one of the other holding midfielders would be beneficial, especially because it takes advantage of his great work-rate.
POPULAR: Gianfranco Zola: Top 10 Chelsea FC Goals
Despite poor form to start the campaign, Matic has come on well in the past couple matches against Aston Villa and Dynamo Kiev. The defensive stalwart would be perfectly utilized as the defensive midfielder covering the two centre-backs, or as a holding midfielder alongside Fabregas and/or Oscar.
Ruben-Loftus Cheek could also be deployed in a similar fashion, should he play. Meanwhile, due to his everlasting engine and high work-rate, the 4-3-3 is perfect for Ramires as well.
In terms of the attack, not much changes for Hazard, Willian, and Pedro, except they become more out-and-out wingers instead of wide attacking midfielders. The 4-3-3 is the perfect counter attacking formation thanks to it’s ability to allow the wingers to get out into space and create, rather than asking them to try to work in a tight, crowded midfield.
More from Chelsea FC News
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
- Chelsea sporting directors finally reveal why they sign so many young players
- These 3 new signings may never get a game at Chelsea
The key to making the 4-3-3 effective is that the backline has to be stout. The 4-3-3 creates a little more space between the defenders and the midfielders that opposing teams, with the right personnel, could exploit. Given what we’ve seen from Chelsea in the past, they are certainly capable of locking down defensively, but an aging Terry and a lackluster Ivanovic have led to the defense leaking goals. That has to be shored up if the switch to a 4-3-3 is made.
Albert Einstein says that the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” With Chelsea currently stuck mid-table in 12th and the action-packed winter schedule soon kicking into full gear, a change needs to be made.
Next: Eden Hazard: Top 10 Goals for Chelsea FC