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Chelsea’s next XI: Nuno Espirito Santo would take clever risks with a 3-5-2

By Gabe Henderson

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates his team's victory after the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea FC at Molineux on December 5, 2018 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates his team's victory after the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea FC at Molineux on December 5, 2018 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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christian pulisic
GENK, BELGIUM – NOVEMBER 20: Christian Pulisic of USA in action during the International Friendly match between Italy and the United States of America at Cristal Arena on November 20, 2018 in Genk, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /

2. Midfield and wing-backs: Convert Christian Pulisic

Moving onto one of the most intriguing midfields in the Premier League. Despite his ability to direct an attack and move the ball quickly, Jorginho is excluded from a starting role under Santo.

N’Golo Kante would get the nod in the deepest central midfield spot simply because you cannot keep Kante out of a starting line-up. What he lacks in on-ball talent, he makes up for in defensive ability, adeptness and versatility.

The other two central midfield positions will be held by Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount. Ruben Loftus-Cheek solidified his place in any Chelsea XI next season through his stellar play this season. Loftus-Cheek is the goalscoring midfielder for whom Chelsea has been searching for awhile. His elusiveness and skill on the ball makes him an ideal Santo midfielder.

One of the staples of Santo’s style of play is his triangular passing lanes. Almost all ball movement in the midfield creates triangles, meaning the two central attacking midfielders must be able to make slicing off-ball runs. Loftus-Cheek is the best Chelsea midfielder for that job.

His counterpart Mount is one of the most intriguing young midfielders in Europe. Thriving in the Championship last season for Derby, Mount seems ready for the bright lights of the Premier League.

Santo is an incredible mentor for those making the transition from the Championship to the first division. One doesn’t have to look further than his Wolves squad this season to see that.

Further, Mount possesses a lot of the qualities Loftus-Cheek does. Excellent off-ball runs, incredible vision and goal scoring potential. Mount would have racked up Eden Hazard-esque numbers had he stayed healthy and been given more to work with at Derby. He’s that good.

Mount and Loftus-Cheek in attacking midfield would give Chelsea strong, quick counter-attacking opportunities.

Traditionally, Santo converts former wingers into wing-backs, which is why Christian Pulisic will occupy the right wing-back spot.

However, Santo can afford to break the chain and place Emerson at the left wing-back position. In a perfect world where Santo gets hired, Marcos Alonso stays at Chelsea. However, with Alonso wanting a move to Spain, Emerson is the next best thing. Emerson’s game places an emphasis on attacking, which makes him an intriguing prospect for a Santo wing-back.

Pulisic is a versatile attacking player who can occupy a place on the wing or in the midfield.  The American’s ability to open up space for chances to be created would see a lot of goals scored on the right side of the pitch, regardless of which side holds the bulk of the play.

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