After a torrid start, things are finally going Chelsea’s way this season. With 19 points from 10 games, Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League table. They are still nine points off the pace and will have to play some serious football to make any claim for a title challenge.
The 2016-17 Premier League Champions have endured an average start to their new season. After a fantastic title charge last year that saw Conte use the 3-4-3 to great effect, the Blues have fallen short to repeat their heroics on a consistent basis this time around.
Chelsea’s easy schedule with no European commitments last year meant that they could play the same eleven day in day out. Their thin squad, with a quality starting line-up, was enough to see the Blues romp to the title. They had the summer to bring in more players and improve the overall depth and strength of the squad. Manager Antonio Conte outlined a few players on his wish list for Chelsea to pursue.
However, Chelsea missed out on most of their summer targets and were short on cover in several positions. To further complicate matters, Chelsea have played without several star players on multiple occasions this season thanks to some unfortunate injuries and silly suspensions. The Blues have played without David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Victor Moses, N’Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata for a number of matches with various permutations and combinations.
These first team regulars have been sorely missed. Chelsea are still waiting for the return of their midfield dynamo N’Golo Kante and Nigerian full-back Victor Moses to return from injury while Danny Drinkwater finally made his debut in the mid-week clash against Everton is finally close to full fitness.
The suspensions, injuries and a lack of determination has seen the team unable to string together a series of wins but Saturday’s dogged 1-0 win will surely restore some hope that the Blues are on their path to recovery.
Chelsea will go up against AS Roma for this week’s Champions League group stage clash.
The last time the two sides faced each other, it produced a thriller with both sides settling for a point. The 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge saw some world class goals and Roma’s dominant display saw Chelsea drop their first points in Europe this season.
Here is how they will look to line-up in a 3-4-3 formation:
Defence:
Thibaut Courtois is expected to turn up in goal for Chelsea. The 3-man defence is likely to consist of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill who was rested for the Bournemouth match.
Davide Zappacosta is expected at right wing-back with Marcos Alonso returning as the left wing back.
Midfield:
With Chelsea now having just three fit senior midfielders, Danny Drinkwater will be on the bench as he is unlikely to start so soon after recovery. Conte will look to his trusted soldier in Cesc Fabregas to partner young Tiemoue Bakayoko.
Attack:
Eden Hazard is likely to operate as a left-wing forward with Alvaro Morata playing up-front and Pedro as the right-wing forward. This is how they might line up:
