Nuke ‘em all!

Now, finally, we can say that we know the Chelsea team for this season. Now the current first team of Chelsea gives a lot of varieties and options for any strategy or any formation. The composition of the first team now is the genius of Jose Mourinho. He has brought such a balance to the team, that we have the team for any set up. He has bought one goalkeeper in Hilario and got two defenders – one in Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge back from loan. Then two midfielders – Michael Ballack and Obi Mikel, both goal scoring types, considering we have Maka and Essien who are non-scoring midfielders. Then the big signing of Andriy Shevhcenko. Now, it’s kind of difficult to understand how Chelsea managed win two back-to-back titles without a world-class striker. Now, we have to show what we can do with one.

Formation: After the arrival of the Shevchenko and espcially Ballack, Jose seems to fancy 4-4-2 than ever before. The big success of Chelsea in the last two seasons were built on the blitzy 4-3-3 with pacy world class wingers. Many still feel that leaving Eidur and Duff is a mistake but I feel what jose has managed is the balance in the team between the pacy wingers and the attacking midfielders. Last seaosn we had Duff, Gudjohnsen, Robben, Joe Cole, SWP – that’s two too many for position of wingers (knowing that all have adapted to play in either sides). I would still have preferred to sell/loan SWP instead of offloading Duff. But still Jose would not have guaranteed starts in all matches, which Duff was very keen about. I dont mind 4-4-2 as long as we have the players that can come as substitutes and enforce an effective 4-3-3. One good thing about 4-4-2, is that it allows Maka, Lamps and Ballack to play alongside each other. In 4-3-3, Ballack may not get to start in all matches, which would be a shame for a player of his quality. This season, I dont expect to see 4-3-3, unless there are injuries which might force this formation.

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech should start in every match. Anyone else would be a compromise. May be, Jose would again try Cudicini in the FA Cup. But his time, I see Cech doing the duties for the later stages of FA Cup. Because, FA Cup has been eluding Jose for the last two seasons and this would be one title Chelsea would like have in their cabinet. I wonder when Hilario would get his game. I hope I dont see him often as his presence could be more because of possible injuries for Cech/Cudicini.

Defenders: With Gallas out and Carvalho not showing enough reasons to make him a regular starter, Terry would play with Boulahrouz in centre. Paulo can be can start in matches considering he is the only genuine right-back. But wait, Geremi is not too far. He had a couple of good games so far. I want Jose to start with Geremi time and again, not only because he plays well, but also to keep Paulo on his toes. The sweet problem is now the choices for the left-back. Wayne Bridge has playing beautifully ever since he returned from his loan and may be to show the Chelsea management, that we already have a quality left-back and not to be so desparate about signing a left-back. Anyways, as per Jose’s philosophy, we needed to have two good players in each position. Now I’m not including Ferreira who is on the left, less than half the player he is otherwise.

Midfielders: Whatever formation it is, I would prefer Maka to start. He provides tremndous solidity for the defence and allows them to be more aggressive as Maka would be there to clear the rubbish later on. Also, his presence allows the attacking midfielders to go forward, without having to worry about leaving space behind them. Essien is slowly becoming a great replacement for Maka. This where you need to see the vision of Jose. He knows that we need an alternative for Maka and more importantly his role. It is a very difficult role to play and there are not many who have mastered this part. Now, Essien has developed as a very good Maka-role man. Despite being each other’s back up, I would like to see both of them play alongside. That leaves Lampard and Ballack to take the other two spots in midfield. Looks like there stil needs to be better understanding between Ballack and Lampard and when they do get that, you can expect wonders. What this would mean is lesser chances for the mercurial wingers – Joe Cole and Robben. Or Jose can choose to drop Essien and include Joe Cole or Robben. Still, the formations can change during the match depending on the situation in a match that would give more opportunities for all.

Forwards: Shevchenko. Should I say more? He is the ‘hitman’ – Shotgun Sheva. You’ll see him score more than 20 goals in the premiership alone and there are Champions League where he ran riot last season. The second striker spot has to be shared by Kalou and Drogba. Given the fine run of form of Drogba, he has improved his own chances of starting in a game. Kalou has not found his feet yet and still Jose plays him for an hour because he has Drogba who can come in the last half hour to change the tempo of the game and even score a goal. As long as we have this comfort, I would prefer to give more opportunities to Kalou, who needs to find form as soon as possible.

Season: Premiership title is ours for sure. And I dont want to miss out of FA Cup this time. We have got Sheva and Ballack with Champions league in mind, and not winning that would be a disappointment. Whatever that means . . . treble or whatever.