Chelsea’s long-shot next XI’s: Laurent Blanc, Eddie Howe and Luis Enrique
3. Luis Enrique: More 4-3-3
Seemingly the least popular of the three, Luis Enrique has actually had the most diverse amount of success among those mentioned here. Enrique has won two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey tournaments, the Supercopa de Espana, Champions League, Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
However, those were all with a Barcelona team who could coach themselves to those victories.
Despite all of the success, the pressure of managing such a talented Barcelona side took its toll on Enrique. He left the club after the expiration of his contract and became manager of the Spanish national team one year later.
The strained relationship with the board and demand for constant success eventually doomed Enrique at Barcelona, which raises questions as to whether or not he could manage Chelsea. Further, he’d enjoyed little success at the other stops in his managerial career.
Regardless, if Enrique were to leave the Spanish national team for Chelsea, he would have an interesting tenure ahead. Even though the Chelsea hierarchy and fans demand excellence, the pressure will be lessened with the transfer ban in place. That could make the job a bit more appealing to Enrique. The club will be inclined to bring him in seeing he plays a 4-3-3 formation, just as Sarri does.
In goal, Enrique would select his fellow Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga. Further, the defense would feature Spanish international Cesar Azpilicueta at right back.
On the left, Enrique would stick with Sarri’s first-choice left back: Emerson. Emerson’s defense needs a bit of work, but his attacking qualities on the left side will assist a young attack. Besides, improvement only comes with experience.
In central defense, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen would feature. Although they seldom had time together this season, the pairing looked solid when they started alongside one another. Christensen and Rudiger are the future of Chelsea in central defense, but don’t count out David Luiz, who looked sharp at times last season.
In the midfield, expect the same three Sarri used towards the back half of last season. Jorginho offers a tremendous amount in transition with his phenomenal vision. N’Golo Kante is one of the speediest, most technically gifted players in the Premier League. He’s a gift for any manager to have in midfield. Meanwhile, Ruben Loftus-Cheek offers something neither Kante or Jorginho does: natural attacking qualities. Loftus-Cheek would be the bridge between midfield and the front three under Enrique. His knack for finding space and strength on the ball are things no other midfielder at Chelsea can do.
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In the attack, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic offer speed on the wings. Each winger can play on either side. Their abilities to create space and play with freedom offers Enrique weapons to utilize when playing his brand of possession-oriented football.
Up front, it’s hard to imagine anybody but Tammy Abraham starting under Enrique. Abraham starting offers Chelsea something up front they don’t have with Giroud: speed throughout the match. In addition, Abraham is the perfect combination of clinical finishing, speed and strength.
All three managers are a long shot to take over at Chelsea next season. Still, Chelsea have made surprising hires in the past.
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Whoever the club hires will likely be given a long leash rarely offered to managers in the past. Maybe it’s a good thing, maybe it isn’t. Regardless, if the Blues keep winning trophies, it hardly matters.