deg0eyThree centre-backs are able to hold the defense more securely and enable Cole and Bosingwa to play more like midfielders with even less defensive responsibility than they have now. Luiz can move forward to play the defensive midfield role as needed without too much trouble. Ramires and Zhirkov make an effort to get wide as much as possible to help the wing-backs with delivering balls into the box. Sturridge to use his pace to play slightly off of Torres.
22.02.2011
ZolaSturridge is doing well at Bolton and all, but I doubt he would be a starter, if he returns.
Wouldn't this 5-3-2 be a tad too defensive?
22.02.2011
NovoxA 5-3-2 would not be exactly too defensive, especially since this one appears to be more of a 3-5-2
The issue I find is that Zhirkov and Ramires would be eating up the space of Cole and Bosingwa. Not to mention if they do move wide, the only player remaining in the center is Lampard which makes retaining possession a very difficult task.
23.02.2011
CheYassinThe formation does not suit Chelsea's most important player, Frank Lampard. Of course, over time we have learnt that Fat Frank is incredibly limited, unable to dictate the tempo of games despite have accurate passing ability. Why? Because Frank works better as an auxilliary striker rather than a midfielder. By this, I mean he needs to have at least 2 other midfielders doing the dirty work for him, hence why he fails to perform for England in a 4-4-2. The OP wants Ramires and Zhirkov to support out wide whereas in my opinion it would work better if only one of Zhirkov/Ramires would help out wide and David Luiz and the other out of Zhirkov/Ramires sit deep and do Lampards dirty work. Thusly leaving him free to do what he does best, pounce on loose balls and score deflected goals. Sturridge may be the one peeling out wide and assisting the overlapping full back. Which in fact was the same system Liverpool used when they beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with Gerrard playing the Lampard role, Merieles playing the Sturridge role, Kuyt being a very physical Torres and Maxi supporting the overlapping Glen Johnson with Lucas sitting deep and holding the ship tight with Daniel Agger stepping up and often playing as the defensive midfielder.
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25.02.2011
