6 ways Chelsea can line up with Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech next season. The Blues have been on a spending spree.
Chelsea seem to have unleashed their war chest this summer as they look to bridge the gap between them and League leaders, Liverpool and Manchester City. The London club have already completed the transfer of Hakim Ziyech from Ajax. They are also set to welcome Timo Werner from RB Leipzig and according to recent reports, are ready to do what it takes to get Kai Havertz to join from Bayer Leverkusen.
Also read: How Timo Werner will affect Christian Pulisic’s role at Chelsea
The 20-year old has scored 15 goals across 38 games in all competitions this season. He has scored 5 goals in 4 games since the resumption of the Bundesliga. Although no formal talks have taken place yet, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester United are also said to be interested in the young winger.
If Chelsea managed to purchase the player under their rivals’ noses, they will have one of the most potent attacking unit in the world. Let us look at 6 ways Chelsea can line up with Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Formation 4-3-3
One of the formation Frank Lampard usually goes to. Fortunately for the Blues, this also happens to be perfect for a team with a plethora of attacking players, something Lampard could be blessed with from next season onwards.
The back four will be Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger and Reece James. Jorginho will play as the holding midfielder in front of them. N’Golo Kante and Mason Mount will be the free roaming midfielders who could run relentlessly in order to fill the holes in the middle of the park.
Either of Timo Werner or Christian Pulisic could take up the left flank. Considering much of Werner’s success in the Bundesliga came from the left, it would make sense to stick him there. In which case, Tammy Abraham will play as the striker.
However, if Werner is played as a striker instead then Pulisic will go to the left.
The right flank is a trickier position to choose for. Both Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz earned their name and success playing in that position. However, Ziyech gets the nod for his consistency in the last 3 years and his overall experience.
Formation 4-2-2-2
From a position that favours Chelsea greatly to one that could be tricky but greatly rewarding if they manage to pull it off.
The back 4 will remain the same from the previous formation. Kante and Jorginho, two of Chelsea’s best and scrappiest midfielders will play the all-important role of covering the middle of the park because of how thin this formation is in the middle.
Pulisic and Havertz or Ziyech will take the left and the right flanks respectively. Abraham will play as the central striker while Werner will operate as the second striker looking to exploit any gaps in the defence made by centre backs who look to cover Abraham.
Formation 4-2-3-1
Lampard’s preferred formation and one that allows all the three new attackers to play in tandem. Depending on where Lampard plays Werner, either one of Abraham or Pulisic will make it to the side. One of Ziyech or Havertz could play on the right while the other could play behind the striker as the creative force of the team.
This could very well be Lamard’s preferred formation when going against less fancied sides who like to sit deep because of how creative this side can be in unlocking opponent defences, a problem that has caused Chelsea a lot of problems this season.
Formation 3-4-2-1
Speaking of less fancied sides, whenever Chelsea have felt like the underdogs, they have gone with this formation under Lampard. This allows the side defensive comfort at the back with 5 players marking the opposition attackers.
The 4-man midfield is extremely important. The central midfielders have the important task of being positionally aware. Their job is to stop an attack before it even begins and launch an attack of their own when the opportunity presents itself.
The attacking midfielders have a lot more on their plate defensively as well in this formation while being the creative outlet.
Havertz and Ziyech can operate as the attacking midfielders while either one of Werner or Abraham plays at the top.
Formation 3-4-1-2
Much like the formation above, this is a tactic one usually employs when they aim to avoid defeat at all cost. However, the extra attacking player gives them more options at the top. The loss of a midfielder however, means that the ones left have to be that much tighter.
The side remains more or less the same. The only difference being the inclusion while either one of Havertz or Ziyech gets sent to warm the bench.
Formation 4-4-2 (D)
This formation allows a side to completely capture the midfield. The defensive midfielder plays in front of the defenders while the attacking midfielder plays behind the strikers. Two very contrasting roles complimented by a set of dynamic midfielders who can shuttle up and down the lanes.
The biggest flow of this formation however, is its predictability. You can only attack from the middle while also allowing your opponent to crowd you from the flanks. However, with proper wingbacks, the weakness can be negated.
Abraham and Werner play as the centre forwards while Ziyech and Havertz compete for the position right behind them.
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