Everton vs Chelsea: Who starts - Drogba, a false nine or risk Diego Costa?
Chelsea travel to Goodison Park this evening to take on Everton and have a real injury concern over Diego Costa. I am asking you the Chelsea fan reading this post, who YOU believe should start the game.
Chelsea will be keen to avenge the defeat at Goodison last season in a game where we had chances to win. Chelsea were crying out for a <striker that suits our style of play and most importantly of all, to put the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis.
We looked as though we had solved the problem with the signing of Costa but his muscle strain this week leaves serious doubts about his participation. As <I stated earlier in the week, this remains the fallout from last season with Costa. We all saw the problems he had with his hamstrings and a decision should have been taken to give him complete rest and to not play him again and again.
Jose Mourinho has stated yesterday that if he is passed fit, then the best he could hope for would be a place on the bench leaving the manager with only two options - Drogba starting up top or to adopt a false nine formation bringing the likes of Willian into the midfield.
I would go with Drogba from the start so we have a focal point at the top of the spine of the team because in games like these it's important. We need someone to play off of at times and someone to bring other players into the game from wide areas or runs from deep. Besides, Drogba can give Distin and Jagielka a hard time too!
As for the false nine formation, it still intrigues me and is something that implemented in the right game at the right time, could serve Chelsea well this season.
You think about English football and how structured it was. Tactical formations were rigid back in the day but now much more flexible. The likes of Baines and Coleman have freedom to push as high up as possible for example and will be looking to do the same again tonight. If Chelsea can stop these two then I believe that's half the job done.
This is where the false nine could really do a number on Everton if Jose decides to adopt the formation this evening. Think about the attacking four now and not three and their freedom to chop and change positions. The Everton back four would have serious issues in knowing who to pick up and mark. Our movement could cause them all sorts of problems being fed by the Maestro in midfield Cesc Fabregas.
I would like to see us switch to the false nine at some stage just to see how much of an effect it could have on the game with the players we have now but I still believe because it's Everton away, the manager will decide to go with Drogba.
Predicted Starting XI:
Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry(c), Azpilicueta, Fabregas, Matic, Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle and Drogba.
What do you people think?