After Spurs Loss, Can Chelsea Change System?
Tactics
N’Golo Kante
Sarri has come under a lot of stick for his use of N’Golo Kante. He has been playing on the right of a central midfield three and is not being fully utilised according to most Chelsea fans and other pundits.
Because Kante has been the best defensive midfielder in the world for the last three seasons it is a surprise that he has been moved from his position; one that was even being compared to the Makelele role.
With Kante now further forward he has become suspect to slowing down play and not bringing the same quality of attacking play as other midfielders might. As a naturally defensive player, this is completely normal and acceptable. He doesn’t have the precise short passing, the delightful threaded needle balls or the silky dribbling of others.
Meanwhile, Jorginho is filling his preferred deeper and central role. The Italian, as the keystone in Chelsea’s team and Sarri’s ideology, will not be moved from his place. In fact, if he was to be taken out he would only be replaced by Cesc Fabregas, a like for like change.
Rumours of Kante’s future have quietly bubbled along, similar to his play style. But having signed a new contract until 2022, when he will be 32, his long-term future is no longer in doubt.
This signals not only Kante’s but Chelsea and Sarri’s intentions. Kante is key. He would be to any team in the world. Chelsea aren’t about to lose or swap the worlds best defensive midfielder.
Reverting Systems
As Sarri likes his team to be organised from the front backwards and is a forward thinking manager he likes his team to press from the front. On Saturday his criticism was not of the defence for their poor positioning or tactical awareness but for the disorganisation of the whole team.
If the first phase is wrong then the rest will also suffer. The forwards must take the correct positions and cut off the through balls in the first place.
However, with these pressure failings, the Kante debate is brought up again. This shouldn’t be the case. Sarri has a system. He has a preference. However, every manager needs a backup, a second choice. Making him proactive not reactive. Putting the opposition manager on the back foot. Responding to Sarri’s changes, not the other way round.
4-2-3-1
Under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte Chelsea tried the 4-2-3-1. It brought them great success and unbelievable failure. From title winners to mid-table scavengers. Chelsea have been known to almost outplay a formation.
Mourinho’s 4-3-3 in 2005 was eventually found out and undone by 2008. The same happened with his 4-2-3-1 in 2016. Conte’s 3-4-3 was revolutionary for the international and domestic scene but failed during his second season.
If Sarri is to do well he will have to not only make his 4-3-3 a formidable and drilled in philosophy. There is an obvious adjustment to this formation. A slight alteration which puts Kante in his favoured position. Gives Jorginho more cover and allows for Ross Barkley to play in a forward role. Or to move Eden Hazard into a number 10 position behind the striker.
Although it sounds simple and makes a lot of sense logically, it is not that easy. Sarri won’t want to ditch his plans after one blip. He needs to find a formula but also not allow it to become stale.
It is so often the downfall of managers. The great managers adapt. Guardiola has many systems with Manchester City and they have a separate plan for every game. Every situation.
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