Chelsea: Impossible dream XI’s under Erik Ten Hag, Mourinho, Diego Simeone
3. Diego Simeone: Seven years too late
Diego Simeone is one of the most sought-after managers in world football. Since taking over Atletico Madrid in the early 2010’s, his side has been a legitimate contender in nearly every competition. Simeone’s personality and brilliant tactical mind only add to the appeal of bringing him in to manage the Blues.
Simeone also plays a brand of beautiful, defensive football, which is rare to find nowadays. His sides emphasize a disciplined, compact shape which limits the amount of space opponents can find inside and near the box. To play this style of football, however, the mistakes have to be virtually non-existent.
Simeone’s 4-4-2 is unlike that of other managers. His brand of the formation truly fits Chelsea particularly well. Even though one has to dream to imagine Simeone leaving Atletico, it’s nice to be creative every once and a while.
Simeone’s first choice goalkeeper would be Kepa Arrizabalaga. Emerson would then get the nod at left back due to the lack of options, with Marcos Alonso likely going to Simeone’s actual club, Atletico Madrid.
Even though Emerson is serviceable defensively, his one-on-one defense is too shaky to hold up for long in Simeone’s formation. Therefore, the more experienced Antonio Rudiger would play alongside Emerson. Rudiger is Chelsea’s Mr. Reliable when it comes to being in the right area for a defensive play.
Next to Rudiger is Andreas Christensen. Due to the compact formation when out of possession, Chelsea need a center back who is comfortable in that position, such as Christensen. Alongside him is the best out-and-out defender at Chelsea, Cesar Azpilicueta. Azpilicueta is incredibly disciplined and the best defender Chelsea have for one-on-one situations.
Providing a defensive blanket for the back line are the two central midfielders, N’Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko. Kante and Bakayoko, when playing at full potential, can be the perfect combination of power and speed. Kante can cover a large amount of space in front of the defense, which is why he’d play on the left to cover any potential Emerson blunder.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic are crucial on the wings, or on the right and left sides of the midfield, depending on the game state. In addition to being excellent, quick offensive threats, the youngsters will be important players in Simeone’s pressing scheme. Simeone loves to put a semi-aggressive press once the opponent brings the ball too far outside. Therefore, the speed of Hudson-Odoi and Pulisic will be vital in winning the ball back. Then the side can break downfield, another area where their versatility comes in handy.
Simeone would likely turn to two young players to lead the forward line. First, Tammy Abraham. Although Abraham lit up the Championship last season, scoring 25 goals, there are questions about his game and how it translates to the Premier League. Under Simeone, Abraham’s speed and calmness on the ball would help him succeed in a duo up front.
On the other side, Ruben Loftus-Cheek. While the idea seemed insane at first (Loftus-Cheek is a midfielder, after all) the position change makes more sense than one would think. Despite being an attacking midfielder by trade, Antonio Conte saw the potential in the English international to become a forward.
dark. Next. Chelsea have six midfielders ready to be the core of any set-up next season
Loftus-Cheek’s has all the necessary strength, composure under pressure and technical ability. One thing remains true: no matter where he plays, Loftus-Cheek must be in the Chelsea XI.