How Chelsea could line up with new signings

OPINION How Chelsea could line up with new signings

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 14:03 - 01.02.2023

Chelsea have welcomed seven new faces to Cobham this month as they aim to mount a late push for a top-four place and Enzo Fernandez would be the final piece to complete the puzzle.

Graham Potter is now blessed with an array of talent unlike any he has ever worked with and he must be excited at the prospect of putting them all together. 

We look at the different ways Chelsea could line up for the second half of the season.

4-3-3

This is a system that fits Graham Potter's men perfectly. A balanced system that fit the profile of the squad and allows for expansive attacking football from the new array of attacking talents.

Chelsea's potential XI in a 4-3-3 shape
Chelsea's potential XI in a 4-3-3 shape

Chelsea fans will be delighted to see Mykhailo Mudryk, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke together in a front-three. 

Mason Mount will benefit from playing behind a fluid attacking trio
Mason Mount will benefit from playing behind a fluid attacking trio

Due to such a strong frontline, Mason Mount may be able to transition back to the advanced eight role in a three with some respite in the chance creation department.

N'Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, or Mateo Kovacic would likely sit alongside Mount, with Fernandez in the holding role. 

The Argentine could be used further forward, but Chelsea aren't blessed with defensive midfielders at the moment.

The defence would have Benoit Badiashile alongside Veteran, Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella and Reece James in fullback positions.

3-4-2-1

In this formation, Fernandez would be responsible for maintaining Chelsea's shape.

In recent games, the Chelsea midfielders have struggled with controlling possession from deep, they have too often received the ball on the half-turn in pockets, blocking passing lanes to the inside-forwards. 

Chelsea's best XI in a 3-4-2-1 shape
Chelsea's best XI in a 3-4-2-1 shape

Jorginho has had success in the past as the deep-lying playmaker but Fernandez has a wider range of abilities. 

The Benfica star can work his magic in the middle of the pitch with a strong runner like Ruben Loftus-Cheek alongside him.

The Joao Felix factor

The obvious name missing in these two graphics is Joao Felix, it is difficult to know how much of an influence he could have on this new-look Chelsea team considering the fact that he is only at the club until the end of the season. 

However, Felix can operate in any of the forward positions, especially as one of the two attacking midfielders in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Joao Felix offers creativity and technical prowess
Joao Felix offers creativity and technical prowess

Regardless of the formation decided upon by Graham Potter, Chelsea are guaranteed to offer excitement and intrigue in the second half of the season.

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