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As Chelsea appeared to complete the transition from title challengers
to championship frontrunners with a comfortable 2-0 win against Real
Sociedad on Tuesday, I was amazed by how sensationally the squad has
evolved.
The choice to launch the Blues’ 2014-15 campaign at Stamford Bridge
in the same way as the previous season ended – the entire playing staff
coming out onto the pitch to salute the crowd – highlighted this minor
revolution after three months of transfer wrangles and contract
negotiations.
Memorable scenes of the club’s lionised legends embracing the
applause were replaced by first glimpses of new faces and emerging
stars, brought in one by one like boxers. And, boy, do they pack a
punch.
Gone was a teary-eyed Ashley Cole, dislodged as left-back by Filipe
Luis and Cesar Azpilicueta. Gone was super Frank Lampard, who leaves a
Manhattan-sized hole for Cesc Fabregas to fill on the field and Didier
Drogba off it. This time even John Terry and Petr Cech were far from
centre stage on an evening of beginnings.
Instead, we witnessed the home debut of a re-balanced Blues lineup,
which (though basing judgements on pre-season showings is a dangerous
game to play) did plenty to prove that Jose Mourinho will be spoilt for
choice this season.
The midfield, in particular, gave the Special One a selection dilemma
that his main opposite numbers can only dream of and could be a crucial
factor in the Premier League trophy tussle, with Fabregas and Marco van
Ginkel now vying for contention in an already star-studded Chelsea
middle five.
It’s a near certainty that Fabregas’s experience, hunger and
especially his chance-creation will help the team move up a gear – and
all three qualities could be vital for penetrating the deep defensive
lines that often denied the Blues last term.
A showreel of the former Arsenal captain’s pre-season displays,
including a sublime solo goal in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Ferencvaros,
would reveal more about his pure genius than this blog might ever
manage.
Expect Mourinho to eventually deploy him as a holding midfielder in
his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation – at least for the so-called easier
fixtures that curtailed the side’s title charge last spring – tasked
with inventing ways to supply the front four.
What’s more, van Ginkel (officially called Wulfert Cornelius) looks
to have finally settled in at the Bridge following an injury-plagued
first year and melded well with Nemanja Matic in this month’s friendly
matches.
The duo are surely leading the battle to start alongside Fabregas in
the double pivot, rightfully leaving Ramires as additional cover, and
they provide Mourinho with the freedom to flit between their
complementary styles on a game-by-game basis.
For me, the young Dutchman deserves to start showdowns where Chelsea
are expected to dominate possession – their Premier League opener versus
Burnley on Monday night, for example – but the more defensive-minded
Matic should be ideal for major away days and Champions League ties.
Most encouragingly though, Mourinho was successfully able to use six
different players in the trio of positions behind the striker against
Real Sociedad, seemingly without the lineup becoming the slightest bit
weaker.
Assuming Fabregas is established as a deep-lying playmaker, this
allows the Special One the luxury of having five truly special attacking
midfielders to rotate at his discretion – depending on tactics, form or
fitness.
Therefore, while Chelsea fans can look forward to Oscar making the
‘number 10′ role his own sooner or later with skilful short range
passing and dribbling, Eden Hazard has a wealth of credentials for
occupying his favoured central spot until the Brazilian picks up from
his heights of last autumn.
Add the most suitable option from World Cup-winning Andre Schürrle, a
steadily improving Mohammed Salah and Willian to the dynamic for each
match – played in by one of the world’s most prolific assist makers in
Fabregas – and any combination would threaten their competitors across
the country.
Supporters from Manchester, Liverpool and North London must be
quaking in their boots. And we haven’t even mentioned Diego Costa.
[Metro UK]
