Chelsea debate: Should we switch to 4-3-3?

Chelsea have been stuck with the 4-2-3-1 formation from the beginning of the season and have paid the price for sticking with it in games this season when things have been going against us.

Yesterday at Old Trafford after the introduction of Eden Hazard and Mikel, we saw a glimpse of just how I believe we can play for the remainder of the season in a 4-3-3 formation. Judging by our performance, this is something that has to be implemented between now and the end of the season if we are to achieve our goal of qualifying for the Champions League.

At times this season we have looked exposed down the wings and overrun in midfield. The 4-3-3 formation provides a solid base through our defence and through the middle and we look to have a better balance.

For example, this is how we started the game yesterday:

…and this is how we looked at around 70 minutes into the game:

It looks much better doesn’t it!.

Mikel is vitally important to the formation as he is the best defensive minded player we have. He sits in front of the defence and protects better than anyone.

With the two players playing either side of him, one can push forward and one can hold. Yesterday BOTH Juan Mata and Ramires pushed on because United dropped deeper and deeper to allow us possession of the ball.

You can pretty much break the formation down to five attacking players and five defenders. With Mikel sitting in the middle, the players next to him can cover wider areas without the ball in addition to the two wide players up along side the striker.

With the ball, the opposition have a job on their hands to bring players back to cover and help out their defence. How many times did we see Juan Mata, Eden Hazard or Oscar collect the ball in plenty of space yesterday?

Surely based on just how good we were playing this way, Rafa can see the potential we have in every game and will make the change to 4-3-3?

What do you think? Should we switch?

Carefree & KTBFFH