EPL 2016/17: 5 things Chelsea need to do to beat Manchester United
Chelsea are set to face Manchester United in a monumental Premier League clash on Sunday. This match is significant in more ways than one. Aside from playing a part in the ultimate destination of the league title, there are a few subplots on the brew.
Firstly, there’s Jose Mourinho’s first return to Stamford Bridge since getting axed in December. The Portuguese will be desperate to leave his former paymasters in a world of hurt at the end of the match.
Also read: EPL 2016/17: Chelsea vs Manchester United - Combined XI
There’s also an entire locker room of Chelsea players who want to show Mourinho that they’re much better off without him. Then there’s Antonio Conte most likely needing to prove a personal point and show the fans who the real ‘Special One’ is at the Bridge.
Whatever the outcome, there’s sure to be entertainment - be it on the pitch, the sidelines or the media room. But Chelsea need to win this game, and here are five things they must do to ensure victory.
#1 Stick to the formation
Conte has switched from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-3 in his last two matches, and it’s no coincidence that the team has kept successive clean sheets for the first time this season.
Fielding a back three has worked wonders for the Blues’ struggling defence, and has made their attack all the better.
Gary Cahill, who was less than dependable earlier in the season, has looked pretty confident playing as a left centre-back, while David Luiz is putting in some impressive performances in the heart of the defence.
The attacking width brought about by wing-backs Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso has allowed for more fluency in attack, as Eden Hazard has the freedom to play more centrally.
So far, it has worked out well for Chelsea. There’s really no point in reverting to a four-man defence at the moment.