Chelsea’s 3-4-3 is past its expiration date: What might the new suit look like?

Antonio Conte said in Friday’s press conference before the Crystal Palace match that the 3-4-3 is the right “suit” for Chelsea right now. But is it still, in light of the loss that followed?

When Chelsea’s 3-4-3 fails, it does so in the same way every time. The wing-backs are outnumbered, the space behind them is exploited, the midfield pair is split and the opponent waits for a defender to commit when they should not.

Those weaknesses became evident last season, and were proven true in the last two losses to Manchester City and Crystal Palace. So is 3-4-3 still the right suit for Chelsea? And when is it time to try on a new one?

The answer is complicated. Last season it took back-to-back losses to Liverpool and Arsenal to prompt the change. It is worth noting that despite winning every match before that, Chelsea never looked solid.

Must Read: Chelsea predicted XI vs. AS Roma: 3-5-2 seeking redemption with a win

Fast forward to this season and the same is becoming true. Chelsea has only looked solid in a few matches this season, and in their best match of the season they used a 3-5-2 instead of 3-4-3. The back-to-back losses this season were split by an international break, but that does not change Chelsea’s trend towards something new.

The answer is most likely the 3-5-2 when everyone is finally healthy. But that has its own issues. The 3-5-2 solves the midfield issue, but Chelsea’s lack of wide options becomes even more glaring. And even with everyone healthy, the squad’s thinness makes it difficult to use.

Without counting the academy players, four midfielders is not comfortable depth for three spots on the field. Same goes with two (three, if Eden Hazard is included) strikers for two spots on the field. And the number of wingers and their role becomes a question in a winger-less formation.

The short term solution, then, is likely the 3-5-2, but is that what is best for the team?

It is perhaps useful to look at why Chelsea went to 3-4-3 in the first place and work from there. In the 4-1-4-1, there was no midfielder getting into the half space to connect Diego Costa with midfield. This caused Costa to drop deep for the ball and Chelsea lost their press on the back line and presence in the box. This was mostly Oscar’s job, but he failed to get forward and fill the gap.

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

Additionally, two center-backs simply were not enough. Gary Cahill was not quick enough to play the high line without cover, and David Luiz got pulled from position too often and needed cover behind him. The extra center-back allowed Cahill and Luiz the ability to make more mistakes while ensuring Chelsea had a spare man in the box for crosses and set pieces.

Taking defensive duties off of Eden Hazard was also important. The 3-4-3 reduces the need for him to track back, so he can stay forward and work his magic more often and for longer spans.

But perhaps the biggest reason was Chelsea’s ability to outnumber opponents almost everywhere. They defended in a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1, taking the numerical advantage over strikers and midfielders. They attacked in a 4-2-4 and counter-pressed in a 2-3-4, which again allowed them to outnumber any team not playing three at the back. But as the weaknesses become more apparent, the strengths are dulled. The 3-4-3 suit is beginning to show its wear, and the 3-5-2 might not be the ideal solution. So what is?

All that remains after 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 is to return to four at the back. But to do that, the weaknesses that caused Chelsea to pull away from it must be covered. Starting at defense, that means David Luiz and Gary Cahill cannot be the center-backs. Fortunately, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on the verge of breaking through, that is a fixable issue.

Going farther forward, Chelsea need a midfielder who is unafraid to push forward. N’Golo Kante’s evolution helps with this as does Tiemoue Bakayoko’s addition. In a two-man midfield, Kante can help to close the gap, while in a three-man formation a player such as Danny Drinkwater or Cesc Fabregas could push forward more regularly than Oscar was willing to do.

Giving Hazard freedom is perhaps the trickiest issue. The easiest way to solve that issue is to make him a full-time striker or finally make him a number 10 with Kante and Bakayoko behind him to cover. This, of course, will add depth to striker while taking it away from the wing.

Must Read: Crystal Palace targeted Chelsea's left to pull the defence out of position

And the wing is vital, because it is such a weakness in the 3-4-3 and 3-5-2. It is far too easy for the wing-back to get outnumbered in those formations, and the main reason of switching to four at the back is to strengthen the team out wide.

But with Willian and Pedro being so out of form, it is hard to justify starting one, let alone both of them. But perhaps the biggest issue is the depth. Chelsea’s roster is currently built for the 3-4-3. They do not have enough midfielders to go into a three-man midfield. There are not enough strikers to go two up top. Even if Hazard becomes a striker, the wings become light.

So changing suits is difficult. But it was last year as well. Few would have expected the winger Victor Moses to become an expert wingback. Or for the fullback Cesar Azpilicueta to become one of the best center-backs in the league despite his height. Or for a two-man midfield of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic to succeed.

Next: Everybody would lose if Chelsea recalled Tammy Abraham from his loan

Antonio Conte has changed formations many times in his career to find the right fit for his squads. Four at the back might not fit Chelsea perfectly or immediately, but then again neither did 3-4-3. If losses continue to pile up, Conte will have to try something new. But persisting when it is not working anymore will not end well.