09 Jul 2016 10:33:50
Looking at our current squad and thinking about how Conte might set the team out, for me it'll be a mixture of a 3-5-2 and 4-2-4, here's what I believe the rest of this transfer window will look like and how we'll line up next season.
Goalkeepers - Unless Barcelona or Real decide to break the bank for Courtois I see no reason why he won't be our number one next season. He had a season disrupted by injury and confidence issues but there is no reason he won't be back to his commanding best this season. If he does go then I believe Jack Butland would be the best signing we could make. Understandably Begovic may go off looking for regular games and Lopez seems to have been lined up as his replacement.
Defence - I was really, very damning of Ivanovic last season but I believe playing in a back three could rejuvenate him; but ultimately I see him only keeping Christensen's space warm for a year. When fit Zouma, and his extraordinary recovery pace, will be priceless in the centre of the three. I'd expect the club to complete the signing of Koulibaly who'll compete with Terry and Cahill for the remaining spot. Would love to see Clarke-Salter get some minuets but with a lack of European football and, what I believe will be, serious runs at the domestic cups it might be difficult - loan might be best.
Wing/ Full-Backs - I'd expect there to be a decent, healthy competition between Baba and Kenedy to start on the left; both are much better suited to the wingback role. Azpilicueta will be very important on the right, as Lichsteiner is for Juventus. When Juve switch, mid-game, from three at the back to four at the back it's Lichsteiner who slips back to form the four; I'd imagine that it'll be Azpilicueta who'll be trusted with that role for us. Aina has a new contract, now he needs to work hard and put pressure on Azpilicueta. Willian or Pedro could play on the right when a more offensive approach is required.
Midfield - Fabregas would appear to be built for the deep lying playmaker (Pirlo) role and he'll have to have a good season because I believe Baker will be back, and putting him under a lot of pressure, next season. I don't see Matic moving on however, if RLC pushes on this year, he could find himself regularly on the bench by Christmas. Kante is easily the best player on the market for our midfield and I hope/ believe/ dream etc. that we'll sign him once the Euro's are over. Willian could fill a similar role, with more class, to the one Giaccherini occupied for Italy; but I see him as a bit part player next season. It would make sense to keep Mikel around for another year until Chalobah returns from, what you'd think, will be his last loan. I'd also be interested to see if Pasalic is kept in the squad next season. Oscar is, for me, surplus to requirement and should move on.
Forwards - Costa and Hazard should start most games next season and, form permitting, I fully expect the pair to be prolific. Batshuayi is a great bit of business and will compete strongly for starts. I don't see us signing Morata (I think he's Arsenal bound) but another striker should still come in. Insigne has been banded around the press this morning and that'd be good competition for Hazard. Traore seems to be the forgotten man - is a loan on the horizon for him?
Congrats if you read all that!
09 Jul 2016 21:44:02
Sorry, but I'm afraid that you don't understand his tactical approach completely. Fabregas will never play Pirlo's role.
10 Jul 2016 07:39:02
No worries antibot, I doubt I do too. Why do you think that Fabregas won't fit into that role? Lack of ability to read the game from a defensive perspective?
10 Jul 2016 11:10:25
I agree entirely with everything you said apart from 3 small points;
Begovic, when he joined he knew he wouldn't be the number 1 starting meeee however he accepted anyway! If a situation happens with courtois getting injured or banned like last season we need a good goal keeper to replace him and begovic has proved that.
Mikel, it's his time to move on. He is slowing down the team and is often making vital mistakes. Although I really like him and admire what he's done for us I think it's his time to move on. With him here it prevents our youngsters having Chances in the team
Finally Traore, if conte does use the 353 (which is expected) then undoubtly Costa and Batshauyi will be starting 2 strikers with the odd occasion of hazard having a go up front. Hazard is better suited to the cam position as it provides more running space and chances to play the correct pass as well as shooting. By playing hazard in cam I think conte will rotate fabregas and Matic around with another midfielder (preferably Kante)
This relates to Traore in the sense that if hazard Plays in cam Traore would have chances up front when Costa or Batshauyi get injured, banned or need a rest or in easier games.
10 Jul 2016 13:31:18
Fabregas is not good enough as defensive player, he'll get more prominent and offensive role. Conte's 352 is pretty close to 442 with CDM providing cover for 4 offensive midfielders 2 central and 2 winger midfielders. If have been watching Italy you could see DeRossi in CDM position often dropping as 4th defender. That will Matic be role. Many people think that he'll use Hazard as secondary striker but he won't, there is a big possibility that he will use him next to Fabregas or whoever as offensive central midfielder as he was using Giacherini on EURO. We don't have spend a lot of money to have fantastic team. The only player I can't see fitting in his tactics is Pedro.