Chelsea FC: Starting XI

With the tactical yet somewhat disappointing number of signings for Chelsea this season, I can’t see many more than one new addition to the Blues’ squad.                                                                                                                                                                             
So here is what I think their strongest starting line-up is:                                                                                                                                                             
Formation: 4-4-2 (Diamond)                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
GK) #1 Petr Cech – Although Henrique Hilario has been exceptional in most of the pre season games, Chelsea can’t afford to leave Cech out of the line-up. It was because of him that Chelsea conceded the joint lowest amount of goals last season in the Premier League (33).                                                                                                                                                     
RB) #2 Branislav Ivanovic – A strong, athletic defender who is a fantastic aerial threat in a defensive and attacking position. For me, he was Chelsea’s best player last season and that is why he keeps out Jose Bosingwa.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
CB) #26 John Terry (C) – It’s like having soup without croutons, cider without ice, Terry is the heartbeat of the whole Chelsea squad and without him they won’t be the same. He’s been a great leader in pre season and contributed towards their clean sheets so far.                                                                                                                                                   
CB) #4 David Luiz – Although he’s not had any pre-season action for Chelsea, we saw a few glimpses of magic from the young, Brazilian defender and it’s obvious he can score goals. That’s why he should partner ‘JT’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
LB) #3 Ashley Cole – Arguably one of the best left backs in the world, Cole has quite clearly put his private life aside and has been performing to the usual top of his game in pre season.                                                                                                                           
*CDM) #7 Ramires – Again, Ramires is a player who hasn’t had any pre season action under Andre Villas-Boas, but after a slow start in Winter, he soon found his Brazilian talent and scored a goal or two.                                                                                                                                                                                               
LM) #15 Florent Malouda – The Frenchman was Chelsea’s highest goal scorer in the Premier League last season and has found the back of the net on a couple of occasions in pre season. He has grown in strength and understanding of the league and that is why he should start.                                                                                                                            
RM) #10 Yossi Benayoun – After a man of the match performance against Hong Kong’s Kitchee in the Barclays Asia Trophy, Benayoun has recovered tremendously from his injury early on in his Chelsea career. And with a cheeky goal against Wycombe Wanderers, he proves he has the talent.                                                                                                                
CAM) #8 Frank Lampard – No doubt the main man for Chelsea in pre season, Lampard looks fitter, sharper and better under Andre Villas-Boas. His long shots and link-up will be important in Chelsea’s success this season.                                                                                                                                                                                                            
ST ) #9 Fernando Torres – The Spaniard’s first-touch goal on Saturday against Aston Villa would have really boosted his confidence and I think he was brought for this season; no doubt he’s going to shine.                                                                                                                                                                                                      
ST) #23 Daniel Sturridge – The 21-year-old has shown evidence that he can score in the Premier League whilst at Bolton Wanderers and a great solo goal against Kitchee asked questions to Andre Villas-Boas; an admitted fan of the England starlet.                                                                                                                                                                                              
Substitutes:                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
GK) #40 Henrique Hilario                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
DF) #33 Alex, #17 Jose Bosingwa                                                                                                                                                                                                             
MF) #46 Josh McEachran, #18 Yuri Zhirkov                                                                                                                                                                                         
ST) #39 Nicolas Anelka, #11 Didier Drobga                                                                                                                                                                                   
* Replaced by Michael Essien when he’s recovered from injury, Ramires moves to RM with Benayoun moving to the bench.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Aaron Aquilina
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20 thoughts on “Chelsea FC: Starting XI”

  1. To be honest, this is one of the worst formations I've seen suggested this year.

    1. Ramires isn't a holding midfielder, and AVB has suggested he'd rather have Lampard dictate the offense from deep than at the attacking midfield position.
    2. We're likely playing a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1. Most likely I believe we'll play the 4-2-3-1 with the double pivot midfield which we've played often this pre-season. Lampard would play the deep playmaker, and Ramires would play an advanced center midfielder. Benayoun would play AM with Malouda and Sturridge on the wings and Anelka/Drogba/Torres occupying the center striker position.
    3. The diamond is a terrible formation and didn't work when we played in 2 seasons ago. The 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 fit AVB's offensive and defensive strategy. The double pivot allows us to quickly outnumber opponents midfields and win the ball as fast as possible. The 2 wingers would bring width and allow our Benayoun, Lampard and Ramires to occupy the midfield with more space

  2. Another good formation would be the 4-3-3 with Lampard, McEachran (replaced by Essien when recovered) and Ramires in the centre, Malouda on the left, Torres/Drogba in the middle and Sturridge/Anelka on the right… Everyday I'm shuffling.

  3. what?! U're trying to tell me dat mikel is not relevant in d chelsea team? Even AVB shuld know by now d impact mikel brings into d team whenever he's on d pitch. His only weakness is in his non-scoring pattern of play which any good team manager can sort. So please u guyz shuld understand dat whether essien is out injured or not, mikel plays an integral role in dis chelsea team. So include him in whatsoever formation u think will be best for d team dis coming season. Handz out!

  4. that is like the worst like up! David Luiz needs to move to right back he's not dependable he needs to switch place with ivanovic. You just can't leave out Josh we need home growns putting Daniel and Josh in the team will give us bragging rights. Chelsea must also get work permit for Rajkovic he's a pure beast. My line up: 4-3-3

    Cech
    Luiz—-Ivanovic—-Terry—-Cole
    Lampard—Ramires—McEachran
    Sturridge—Torres—–Benayoun

    This team has pace, creativity, and they can all dribble, this also makes them happy, Luiz can make over lapping runs.

  5. Sometimes some people type without thinking we won double last two season who's in the mid-field ramires, essien or mikel? Please think before you type something i just cant stand seeing the guy on bench

  6. Ramires is not an excellent holding midfielder. The best we have in that team is mikel. So you dont leave him out unless you're playing without one. It's too early to put josh as a starter. He's still potential.

  7. Mikel is a gd player chelsea wouldn't av won the double without him, he was conistent with ballack lampard, i don't see why is droped out now, lampard shld be the guy u shld be finding a gd replacement for by is 33, give the young chance, then sign modric, my formation shld be
    cech
    ivanovic alex terry a.cole
    ramires mikel modric/lampard
    sturridge torres malouda/kalou

  8. Mikel is a gd player chelsea wouldn't av won the double without him, he was conistent with ballack lampard, i don't see why is droped out now, lampard shld be the guy u shld be finding a gd replacement for by is 33, give the young chance, then sign modric, my formation shld be
    cech
    ivanovic alex terry a.cole
    ramires mikel modric/lampard
    sturridge torres malouda/kalou

  9. Luiz nt inclusive in dat formation cos u can't play a luiz against a team like man u at old trafford and a team like barcelona, alex and terry did great two season before against man u, when we won them both home and away also in the community shield, he also the wel in gus hiddink rein against barca 2009 home and away, which wen barca met man u in d final, man u they coceded two goals, he shld neva be removed, he's a great defender.

  10. There wil nt b a permanent starting xi…
    I kn AVB vry wel wen he waz @ chelsea nd inter. He waz d oppositn scout for jose mourinho, he maps out strategy 4 jose..
    D season is 2long, there are so many games in it e.g, fa cup, cl, epl nd carling cup.
    Wit al dis games in line evry1 shud b carid alng so we dnt v prblms wen injury cms arnd winter ok.
    I expect dt by nw AVB must v cortd luiz ofensive tackle nd has workd on aneka's slugish play nd also on kalou's selfish play.
    Wit al dis sortd nd wit only one big name added in d A.M.F!
    I propld chelsea 2 break rod in al d 4 competitns dis season!
    Love u all

  11. Sturigde z da wst player ve ever sin so we'll send bak 2 bolton 4 anada season..ma formation…1.cech…2.ivenovic…3.a.cole…4.d.luiz…5.j.terry©…6.mCchacren…7.neymar…8.modric…9.torres…10.lampard…11.drogba

  12. whr on earth did you pick your team from leaving out mikel.at the begining of last season mikel help chelsea to win matches in th absent of lamps he got injured and that was how we suffered for it he is an integral part of the team

  13. What it will be: 4-3-3 with: Cech, Cole, JT, Iva, Bosingwa…Malouda, Lamps, Mikel, Kalou, Torres, Drogba

    What it should be: 4-3-3 with: Cech, Cole, JT, Luiz, Iva…Ramires, Mikel, Benayoun…Zhirkov, Torres, Sturridge

    We'll see the same players starting as last season..no creativity, no pace, selfishness and an inability to breakdown 10 men in the area. Expect a lot of 1-0 matches and draws.

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