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Goal.com Talk Tactics: Chelsea's midfield will be relentless with Michael Essien and new boy Ramires
Strength and stamina the key to part two of Carlo Ancelotti's plan
13 Aug 2010 14:48:00
By Andy Brassell
New season, same old Chelsea? Not quite. Even in the absence of making any major waves in the transfer market - and what do people expect, frankly, from a team coached by Carlo Ancelotti - there is a strong feeling that the Premier League champions and FA Cup holders will be even leaner, meaner and stronger than before going into the new campaign.
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Ancelotti is shrewd, and knows that even though his first season was a terrific success, Chelsea's title owed as much to liberal helpings of luck (Didier Drogba's wrongly-allowed goal at Old Trafford, Manchester United's failure to win at Blackburn Rovers) as it did their own fine attacking play, which saw them net over 100 league goals.
While many of the side's key figures will continue to be senior players such as Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry, the coach has been good to his pledge towards the end of last season that he would freshen the squad with the best youngsters already on the books, and move on some ageing high-earners.
It is in midfield that the difference will be most keenly felt. Deco, Michael Ballack and the injury-dogged Joe Cole are all gone. Michael Essien has at last returned to full fitness and he will be complemented by Ramires, the Brazilian bundle of energy due to complete his move from Benfica.
Chelsea line-up v Tottenham (17/4/10)
It won't have escaped Ancelotti's notice that Chelsea age, especially in midfield, betrayed them once or twice last season.
The manner as much as the timing of April's defeat at Tottenham was alarming. Deco and Joe Cole looked pedestrian as the Blues were overrun in midfield by Tom Huddlestone. Luka Modric and Gareth Bale. The introduction of Michael Ballack, although the Germany captain was relatively blameless for the defeat, did little to help.
The lack of cover for Chelsea's defence was notable, leaving the hapless Terry and Paulo Ferreira particularly exposed. John Obi Mikel's injury may have limited his contribution, but it is difficult to imagine even a fully-fit version of the Nigerian international containing that Spurs engine room.
This should never again by a problem. Chelsea are a different side with Essien in midfield. It could be argued that the first season that they failed to win the title under Jose Mourinho (2006-07) had a lot to do with the Ghanaian's deployment in central defence to cover injuries. Essien did a sterling job, but was badly missed in midfield.
Possible Chelsea line-up for 2010-11 season
In Ramires, he will have a similarly mobile partner. Both are classic box-to-box midfielders, and determined tacklers to boot. One can drop back to cover while the other pushes forward, or they can create a dual barrier together. Ramires is used to playing on the right side of a midfield diamond for Benfica, so can even go wide to cover the full-back should Ancelotti chose to start with an attacking right-sider, like Salomon Kalou, as opposed to a midfielder like Yossi Benayoun in his nominal front three.
Chelsea built their reputation under Mourinho as minimalist and miserly. Under Ancelotti, they have become more aggressive, and are about to add further grit to the mix. It's a frightening prospect for the rest of the Premier League.
New season, same old Chelsea? Not quite. Even in the absence of making any major waves in the transfer market - and what do people expect, frankly, from a team coached by Carlo Ancelotti - there is a strong feeling that the Premier League champions and FA Cup holders will be even leaner, meaner and stronger than before going into the new campaign.
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Ancelotti is shrewd, and knows that even though his first season was a terrific success, Chelsea's title owed as much to liberal helpings of luck (Didier Drogba's wrongly-allowed goal at Old Trafford, Manchester United's failure to win at Blackburn Rovers) as it did their own fine attacking play, which saw them net over 100 league goals.
While many of the side's key figures will continue to be senior players such as Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry, the coach has been good to his pledge towards the end of last season that he would freshen the squad with the best youngsters already on the books, and move on some ageing high-earners.
It is in midfield that the difference will be most keenly felt. Deco, Michael Ballack and the injury-dogged Joe Cole are all gone. Michael Essien has at last returned to full fitness and he will be complemented by Ramires, the Brazilian bundle of energy due to complete his move from Benfica.
Chelsea line-up v Tottenham (17/4/10)It won't have escaped Ancelotti's notice that Chelsea age, especially in midfield, betrayed them once or twice last season.
The manner as much as the timing of April's defeat at Tottenham was alarming. Deco and Joe Cole looked pedestrian as the Blues were overrun in midfield by Tom Huddlestone. Luka Modric and Gareth Bale. The introduction of Michael Ballack, although the Germany captain was relatively blameless for the defeat, did little to help.
The lack of cover for Chelsea's defence was notable, leaving the hapless Terry and Paulo Ferreira particularly exposed. John Obi Mikel's injury may have limited his contribution, but it is difficult to imagine even a fully-fit version of the Nigerian international containing that Spurs engine room.
This should never again by a problem. Chelsea are a different side with Essien in midfield. It could be argued that the first season that they failed to win the title under Jose Mourinho (2006-07) had a lot to do with the Ghanaian's deployment in central defence to cover injuries. Essien did a sterling job, but was badly missed in midfield.
Possible Chelsea line-up for 2010-11 seasonIn Ramires, he will have a similarly mobile partner. Both are classic box-to-box midfielders, and determined tacklers to boot. One can drop back to cover while the other pushes forward, or they can create a dual barrier together. Ramires is used to playing on the right side of a midfield diamond for Benfica, so can even go wide to cover the full-back should Ancelotti chose to start with an attacking right-sider, like Salomon Kalou, as opposed to a midfielder like Yossi Benayoun in his nominal front three.
Chelsea built their reputation under Mourinho as minimalist and miserly. Under Ancelotti, they have become more aggressive, and are about to add further grit to the mix. It's a frightening prospect for the rest of the Premier League.
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