Chelsea: Impossible dream XI’s under Erik Ten Hag, Mourinho, Diego Simeone

They are the managers everybody wants, but ones fans will never see wear the Chelsea badge anytime soon. This is a closer look at the Blues’ XI ‘s under dream scenario managers.

While every Chelsea fan certainly has their opinion on who they want to manage the team next, a few names consistently come up, despite any real speculation. Whether it’s the style of football, past achievements or present success, something makes Blues fans fall in love with these men.

These managers would be dream appointments for a majority, but the likelihood of them actually coming to Stamford Bridge next season is slim to none. It’s fun to dream about what Chelsea would look like under these men, though, right?

1. Erik Ten Hag: The Academy’s dream

Outside of hardcore football fans, not many were very familiar with the name Erik Ten Hag prior to this year. Ten Hag has led the youth revolution that propelled Ajax back onto the world football scene and stake its claim as a force once again.

Given the wild success Ajax enjoyed last season, the most impressive thing about Ten Hag’s tenure at the club is how he’s done it all with a young core.

With one of the most prestigious and large youth academies in the world, Chelsea has been in desperate need of a manager who is willing to give youth a chance. Countless talented players like Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku have left Chelsea, citing lack of playing time as youngsters as the main reason for a move away. It would be beneficial to bring in a manager during the transfer ban who is willing to give youth a chance. If nothing else, the fans won’t stand for the youth being exiled for much longer.

Ten Hag’s style of play, much like Frank Lampard’s, is inspired by Pep Guardiola. Ten Hag managed under Guardiola at Bayern Munich, so many of his ideas derive from there.

Ten Hag plays in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with an emphasis on possession and off-ball movement.

Starting at goalkeeper under Ten Hag would be Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is one of the most talented young keepers in world football.

Ten Hag loves his full backs to attack and aid down the wing to help ease pressure on the back line. On the left side of the defense is Cesar Azpilicueta. Azpilicueta’s experience mixed with his attacking prowess make him ideal for a full back under Ten Hag. At right back, Reece James would likely see his first real minutes for the Chelsea first team. James is an incredibly exciting prospect with a knack for getting forward.

In central defense, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger. Christensen and Rudiger are rocks at the back with speed and power. Plus the duo can also pass efficiently and play out from the back when under pressure.

N’Golo Kante would occupy one of the defensive midfield roles next to the surprise pick, Ethan Ampadu. Kante is quick and can cover a lot of ground should Chelsea be caught out of possession. His tackling ability is top class and the attacking aspect of Kante’s game improved drastically under Maurizio Sarri.

However, it’s Ampadu who will play the ever-so important Frenkie de Jong role. For the last two seasons, Chelsea has struggled to find the best place for the young phenom. Ampadu has had significant minutes throughout his career in defensive midfield and the heart of the defense. His next step in defensive midfield is a role that often drops back into the central defense and acts as a third center back.

Things really take shape for Ajax in the attacking midfield, and this is where Ten Hag makes his money.

At Chelsea, the left wing would be Callum Hudson-Odoi. Due to Hudson-Odoi being more of a goal-scoring threat, he would play higher up the pitch, often bursting into the box for attacks. Meanwhile, his counterpart Christian Pulisic would drop centrally, stick around the 18-yard box and look to create chances. Being less of a goal threat than the others, Pulisic dropping back opens up the right wing and middle of the pitch for Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Loftus-Cheek is more of a goal scoring threat than any other Chelsea midfielder and is also comfortable pressing high and getting back.

Up front is Olivier Giroud. Due to the full backs playing high and wide, the Blues under Ten Hag would need a large presence in the box. Giroud is more comfortable than most with his head and is stronger than any striker Chelsea has. He’s also the best with the ball at his feet, an integral quality to have because of Ten Hag’s passing triangles.