Midfield Matters
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Loading ...While the Rafalution™ (defined as ‘having the appearance of progress, but in reality destroying from within’) embodies much of what is currently wrong with Chelsea as a football cloob (sorry, it is contagious) the serious lack of direction from those above will continue to hamper any hopes for a positive development of a young squad. While there are many levels of idiocy to the aforementioned statement, in terms of the squad we seem to have forgotten that the midfield matters most. The number of times under Benitez that we have been so categorically outplayed in midfield is verging on the ridiculous. Whether it was being outfought by West Ham, outwitted by QPR, out Chelsea’d by Swansea or just outrun by Newcastle the balance and make-up of our midfield needs a serious rethink in the summer.
All season long there seems to have been an order from the powers that be to implement a 4-2-3-1 formation at any cost. While it worked in patches for Di Matteo ultimately the high octane “score more” style was deemed to be too cavalier.
Looking back to the start of the season Chelsea had arguably four natural fits for the holding roles in this particular shape. Therefore, allowing Meireles and Essien to leave without replacements during the transfer window was quite frankly a stupid decision that has already cost us points. The reason Emenalo attracts such criticism is that for all the good he may have done (Oscar, Hazard, Courtois, De Bruyne etc.) if he is truly in charge of the playing personnel why did he let both players leave? For such a lavishly assembled squad we lacked bodies in such a crucial area and still let two players go.
The double-pivot in midfield is an area that requires a delicate balance between those playing there. Two offensive midfielders, such as Ramires and Lampard, are often overrun by average sides because their positional play is weak without the ball. Both are an okay fit with a definitive holding player alongside them, but without that solid presence neither are particularly adept at screening the defence. The chasm in front of our back four against Reading, Southampton and Newcastle in recent weeks directly contributed to the shift in momentum in each game and contributed to the loss of points.
Conversely, playing two defensive midfielders stagnates play. The Swansea game that featured both Romeu and Mikel in front of the back four highlighted the need for some attacking intent in one of the positions. It was a dour showing from the pivot that highlighted the need for craft in one of the deeper roles. When you combine that lack of ball circulation with a statuesque centre forward results are hard to achieve.
I was certain that the club would address this in January, particularly as a departure from a 4-2-3-1 seemed unlikely. Spurs securing Lewis Holtby and Newcastle acquiring Moussa Sissoko for under £2m each shows that quality players were available for the right price. Despite Romeu’s long-term injury and knowing that Mikel would be in Africa we still did sign anyone. Just how exactly are we meant to push on as a club when our only options in a formation seemingly forced upon the manager are both ill suited? Or is Benitez that inept that he refuses to change the shape of the side despite everything pointing towards it being a necessity?
There is a case for Oscar eventually stepping back to become a deep lying playmaker. We certainly miss a linking influence within midfield. Oscar’s combination of incisive passing, exquisite dribbling and exceptional vision would allow him to marshal the tempo of a game superbly. Playing him deeper might negate some of his influence in the final third, but as we have seen with Lampard starting deeper does not dictate you must stay there.
My preference in the summer remains signing Étienne Capoue from Toulouse. An athletic, aggressive, robust and technically sound midfielder who would replace everything that Chelsea have lost since the Essien/Ballack days. He breaks play up, makes plenty of tackles, has a physical edge and would certainly not break the bank. If other clubs can sign talented young players for affordable sums of money, so should we.
For the remainder of this season there is certainly a question over who will provide the best balance in the double-pivot. The return of Mikel makes one of the slots a simple selection. For anyone still not convinced by his talents just look at how porous our midfield have been in his absence. In particular the protection of the back four has at times looked non-existent. Mikel walks back into a midfield that desperately needs structure. Though, interestingly enough, he recently flourished for Nigeria in a more box-to-box role - more like how he played excellently with Meireles earlier in the season.
My personal choice, albeit perhaps not the most popular, would be to pair John Obi Mikel with David Luiz and using Lampard as the first rotation option. The blend of physicality, athleticism, aggression, passing and control you would achieve by playing them side-by-side usurps anything offered by another pairing. It would allow Luiz to drive forward with the ball, take more risks and utilise his full range of talents in an area we need them most.
I would like to see Lampard rotate in when we play at home or a weaker team, with Luiz moving back to centre-back. We have potentially over 70 fixtures this season - hence my reticence in playing Lampard on a weekly basis. Does he need to play against a combative midfield when he might be best served elsewhere? Burning Lampard out at 34 is certainly not an option and despite what his detractors say he still has much to offer.
What remains crucial is Chelsea address this area in the summer as it is an easily exploitable weakness. Lampard is likely to depart for pastures new and given his level of productivity is essentially irreplaceable from that area of the field. We need a blend of technique and brawn to perfectly compliment an exciting attack. There is little point in spending big on a striker, or using Hazard/Mata if we do not provide them with a midfield who can both initiate and break up attacks effectively. This link could be the difference between a title winning tilt and another season of playing for the Top Four Trophy.
My starting XI for the remainder of the season looks like this: Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Luiz/Lampard, Mikel; Hazard, Mata, Oscar; Ba.
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As always comments are welcome. I am especially interested in your starting XI’s for the remainder of the season. You can follow me on Twitter @JoeTweeds. Please do take your time to look at the Chelsea Supporters Trust, which POA are heavily in favour of.
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It’s just laughable that you have rejected Ivanovic who is still the best performing centre back we have had in the last 4 seasons. Ba, to put it politely, is an average striker. Lampard has started developing a good combo with him up front which means he can’t be rotated to get the best out of Ba. Simple, isn’t it?
If Ivanovic is our best performing centre back this season we are in serious trouble. Constantly out of position, a plethora of individual mistakes and when deployed at right back it is no coincidence most teams expose him. If Luiz was making as many errors as Ivanovic he would be getting crucified. He unquestionably needs to rediscover form and if everyone is fit does not get near my starting back four currently.
Ba’s form is certainly not dependent on Lampard. I am not entirely sure how you make that assertion. Unless you are talking the games where Frank and Ramires have been totally overrun in midfield?
Good article Joe, I share your concerns about our midfield. I’ve always preferred 4 4 2 as a formation..if only for the simple fact you have 2 srrikers up top. I personally feel that alonso and khedera are the perfect template for the two deep lying midfielder’s in this formation, both are very comfortable on the ball, both can tackle and can do the box to box role . I think if you look at all of our midfielders none of them have the same all round consistency of the madrid pair-we have players that excell in one or two areas, but not all
I agree on that balanace Gary, but unfortunately with what we have at our disposal we perhaps need someone to explicitly screen the back four (Mikel) and then someone to link play (Luiz/Lampard). We have looked horribly exposed at times with Lampard/Ramires in midfield recently, so my main concern is just putting a bit of structure back into the side until the summer. It would be nice to have several options for next season allowing us to shore things up, really attack or just play with a nice balance. Though, the squad to me still looks like it should be playing as a 433.
Agree 100% about 4 3 3. Mikel as the holding player (I’m not his biggest fan but he does seemed to have matured as a player) then we have an abundance of players to fill the remaining 2 positions. I’d personally like to see both Oscar and Mata play there as both players are wasted when asked to play out wide in the 4231, leaving Hazard and Moses/Marin to be the naturally wide players. Fergie said a year ago or so that the way to stop Chelsea was to stop our midfield as it was so strong..look at it now!
I’ve always liked Mikel, but will naturally concede the drop off from his performances in big games to “bankers” was disappointing. It’s almost like he needs to be tested to concentrate for 90 minutes. Definitely think we were seeing the best out of him under Di Matteo and early form this season was excellent. Interesting to see him play a more box-to-box role successfully for Nigeria as well.
Pre-season I would like to see how a trio of Mikel, De Bruyne and Oscar look. We definitely need another body in there, but all depends on the manager and if he has a say. Still shocked that whoever signs the players thought having only Ramires and Lampard for the duration of January was acceptable.
We have a lot of talented young players, just need a manager to play a system that suits them and gives them the time to develop.
It’s the most frequently asked question after “the chicken and the egg”..do you find the players to fit the formation..or the formation to fit the players? Another formation that I think would suit this current crop of players would be 352..ash/ ryan left wing back, dave/branna or even rammi as right wing backs..think it would suit us perfectly-except for the risk of playing BOTH our recognised forwards in one game
Personally I enjoy Luiz’s role as a Defensive midfielder despite his hard tackles and errors. I’ve always wanted a very mobile Defensive midfielder who is extremely skillful and can turn a defense into attack within seconds…unfortunately that’s where I question Mikel despite everyone’s so called “protecting the back 4″. I am a Nigerian and I’m proud of him for his achievements but I don’t enjoy his game. Chelsea is a big club and I believe quality is key. if you look at other clubs like Barca, Real Madrid, Ac Milan, Juventus and you pick out the particular players in the DM positions, then you will agree with me that Mikel is the least skillful and least mobile of them all. Please note that I do appreciate his defensive prowess and accurate passes.
Now let’s come back to the team and talking about the perfect combo in the midfield…Chelsea has only lost a game since Luiz took to the position of a DM and that particular game we lost was against Swansea, all caused by Ivanovic’s foolish back passes. I think the mobility I’ve always dreamt of eventually arrived with Luiz playing in that position. I guess the perfect pairing with Luiz ought to be Mikel but hey…Lampard scores and Lampys/Luiz has been so far, quite successful. I tell my friend regularly that Mikel needs to up his game.Football is changing…most times it’s the DMs that determine the mode of play. DM often breaks play and skillfully converts possession to attack. If there is need to dribble one or two opponents before laying down a pass then it must be done…not Mikel…he cannot do it, neither can old Lampard with age no longer in his favour ….this we lack in the team and probably one of the major reasons we never have an edge over our opponents…I was watching Man U vs. Reading match yesterday, u need to see it as well…A DM must be skillful, Mobile and Sharp on the ball. He must be able to outpace the opponent if with the ball…he must be quick to respond to attack and quick to run back to defend the back 4…..how I miss Makelele.
Finally. It’s been proven that Lampy/Mikel isnt it at all. both are slow and cannot compete effectively with the midfield of the worst teams in the world (I’m not talking about going all defensive or parking the bus like we did in the last champions league) I’m talking about showing superiority in the midfield and being in control to determine the play and pattern of how the game ought to be. Often times Lampard weighs downs Mikels game because he often runs forward with the usual attempt to score and never runs back to assist Mikel especially when there’s a counter attack. I have never fancied their pairing and many people are yet to realize that it’s been part of the problems we ve had.
In your comment above, you mentioned that mikel’s absence has made the defense more porous but I disagree…Mikel featured in most games before Di matteo was sacked and the defense was same if not worse.
The best pairing would have been Luiz/ Romeu; Luiz/Mikel and Luiz/Lampard…anything short of this, CFC will struggle.
If eventually Romeu returns and there’s need for Luiz to return back to defense…I will pick Romeu ahead of any other DM in the Team. I feel he is the best we have and he would have held on to that position under Rafa Benitez if not for the injury.
I have never fancied Mikel’s game and I’m extremely sorry for saying that because he is not the quality the new Chelsea requires He is slow, Lacks skill, very predictable when with the ball especially on short passes, often passes to the sides and back, cannot initiate an attack …. I often wonder how he gets his contracts renewed.
Will have to agree to disagree on Mikel - do not agree with anything you have said about him.
Lol….i can assure you(Under benitez) if Luiz and Romeu are fully fit and Lampards contract renewed…Mikel will warm the bench and probably play only during carling cup….
unfortunately Rafa will leave..maybe then he ll get his chance under the new coach.
What do you mean “unfortunately Rafa will leave”? Pretty much sums up your knowledge of the club and its players right there.
Lol …u make me laugh…..i am a very passionate fan and I do have great knowledge of the club my brother, infact i come to the bridge 2wice yearly, Asides that, i was very active in football,i just didnt go professional. so Joe Tweed…i know the club more than anything and i understand the probs.
Now i need you to understand me, With John Terry getting fit and Luiz playing as a DM…Chelsea will win 88% of their remainig features as far a Rafa keeps to Ba instead of Torres.
I do believe we are reaching a stable period in the club WITH MORE OPTION FOR EVERY POSITION all the players are back and lets say fit…My only problem with Rafa is his so called “Rotational Policies” . how i wish he can quickly realize Torres isnt needed or cannot deliver again. but i bet you with a formation involving Ivanovic,Cahill,Terry,Ash—Luiz,Lampard/Ramirez/Mikel,—-Mata,Hazard,Moses/Oscar and Ba…it will be victory all the way….
Generally, the results havent been nice at all under Rafa but i believe that the Losses and the draws will now be minimized with this selection..UNFORTUNATELY Its rather late and Rafa will leave or get the sack because RA as we all know insnt patient.
I am not a fan of Rafa but i strongly believe that we will win more matches with Luiz as DM,Terry as a CB and Ivanovic back to his right back position.
A new Coach will come in next season and will try to stamp his policies and MAYBE put Mikel back to DM and Luiz back to defence.
The truth is bitter-Joe Tweed
I am still unsure what on earth it is you are going on about. Most odd.
Yes, this makes sense. Question however remains is who owns the responsibility at the cloob? Emenalo buys & sells, FSW makes players play or rot on bench. FSW had to manage with Lamps, Ramirez & Luiz in Jan/Feb & such things are bound to happen. Considering that Chelsea are run in different fashion, it’s difficult to find a throat to choke everytime.Not exactly similar to FT9 situation, however, this is one more reminder of what happens when Emenalo & permanent/interim manager are not on the same page. I’d take this more of organizational structural flaw. That being said cloob must acknowledge the failure to land a cheaper/expensive midfielder in Jan txfr window
I think we suffer greatly from not having a transparent hierarchy at the club. It seems people are so afraid of criticism that they do not quite want to reveal what it is they do. Is Emenalo in charge of the squad? What does he do? What do Buck and Gourlay do? Who advises Roman and in what capacity? Such a clandestine organisational structure that no one really knows what is happening.
& no one can question Roman
. May be he holds the remote control, Marina Granovskaia presses the buttons (on the remote control) & Emenalo, Buck, Gourley dance to those tunes….
This is probably the best explanation of the situation I have ever read. Brilliant.
That is funny. Marina mashing the buttons explains a lot. Poor RDM.
We need to keep using Luiz as a DM…if we dont we will struggle. no matter what narration the best analystS will give for the poor results…we need a physical AND CREATIVE presence in that position