Chelsea’s long-shot next XI’s: Laurent Blanc, Eddie Howe and Luis Enrique

2. Eddie Howe: 4-4-1-1

Eddie Howe is a fantastic manager, that’s certain. However, the one glaring caveat around his name for any potential suitors is that he needs time.

Time is a gift seldom given to those in charge at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea has a reputation of sacking their managers within a year or two – it’s the club’s schtick. Therefore, why should Chelsea bring in Howe? The answer: Howe is exactly what the doctor ordered for Chelsea.

At Bournemouth, Howe doesn’t work with extravagant transfer budgets or even world-class talent. He likely would not have a tough time making good use of Chelsea’s available resources.

Howe is a mixture of a lot of things, but most notably a small club’s Pep Guardiola and what Sarri claimed to be: a coach, not a manager. While Sarri coached the players he was given, he reportedly whined for more (see: Higuain, Gonzalo). Even though he achieved some results, his team looked completely helpless in others.

Meanwhile, Howe has struggled at times, but always did a good job considering what he had. He is the perfect manager to lead Chelsea through a transfer ban.

He loves players who not only fit his style, but are hungry for success. Howe would have a ball trying to decide which players from the loan army stay home next season. If that isn’t enough to convince people, maybe the fact that Howe loves to play possession-based football will turn the Sarri apologists to seeing why Howe would be a good fit.

If appointed at Chelsea, Howe would likely set his team up in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Starting between the sticks would be Kepa Arrizabalaga. In defense, Cesar Azpilicueta would slide over to left back to accommodate for Reece James at right back. James put his hunger to play for Chelsea on display last season at Wigan and is considered one of the club’s top talents.

Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger would anchor the side in central defence. Both are incredibly talented and passionate defenders with an understanding of the club. The pairing is the future at Chelsea, and it’s not a long shot to claim both could captain the club one day.

N’Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko would occupy the central midfield roles. Kante and Bakayoko struggled as a pairing in midfield under Antonio Conte. However, after an outstanding season in Serie A, Bakayoko is ready to give the Premier League another try. If he plays up to the standard he did at Monaco and AC Milan, Bakayoko and Kante will be the Premier League’s toughest defensive midfield.

Christian Pulisic will be on the right side of the midfield . Although predominantly a winger, Pulisic has also had a ton of time on the pitch in the midfield. His understanding of the movements of a midfielder, ability to create chances and go at defenders one-on-one makes him ideal for Howe’s midfield.

Opposite Pulisic would be Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Naturally a central midfielder, one of the unique things about Loftus-Cheek is his adaptiveness. Loftus-Cheek was asked to play on the wing multiple times last season and did it with ease. He would have no problem playing on the left side of the midfield.

Rounding out the XI would be Callum Hudson-Odoi and Olivier Giroud up top. Much like Raheem Sterling’s role in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, Hudson-Odoi would sit behind the striker. This would allow him to move freely from wing-to-wing or within the midfield, opening up space for the attacking midfielders.

Meanwhile, Giroud’s clinical finishing and chemistry with those around him would compliment Howe’s gradual build-up style.