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EPL: Hiddink faces Chelsea FC selection dilemma

By Taylor Anderson

COBHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Interim manager Guus Hiddink of Chelsea talks to the media during a Chelsea Press Conference at Chelsea Training Ground on February 5, 2016 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
COBHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Interim manager Guus Hiddink of Chelsea talks to the media during a Chelsea Press Conference at Chelsea Training Ground on February 5, 2016 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea FC Manager faces selection problem with misfiring Eden Hazard potentially returning to form.

After a horrific run of form to start the season, defending EPL Champions Chelsea FC were forced to part ways with legendary manager Jose Mourinho. After cutting ties once again with the Portuguese manager, the club moved forward by bringing in another previous manager, Dutchman Guus Hiddink, who had success at the club replacing “Big Phil” Scolari in 2009. Hiddink’s last spell in charge at Stamford Bridge saw the club finish 3rd in the league, reach the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League, and capture the FA Cup.

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This time around it would be foolish to think he could bring the club as high as 3rd, as that seems far out of the question, however Hiddink almost assuredly is hoping to capture another FA Cup while keeping Chelsea in the top half of the table, and making a deep Champions League run. In order to obtain the results necessary for this in his first 9 matches, Hiddink has had to tinker with the lineup.

Thanks to a poor run of form and some niggling injuries, last years Player of the Year Eden Hazard has seen most of Chelsea’s action from the bench of late. Hazard did not score a goal this season until last Sunday’s 5-1 win over MK Dons where he converted a penalty late on.

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Hazard’s move to the bench comes about thanks to a resurgence in form of Cesc Fabregas, who has slotted into the No.10 role for Hiddink’s Blues. Alongside Fabregas, Hiddink has to choose between Oscar, Pedro, Willian and Hazard himself to play in his 4-2-3-1, meaning at best 2 of the 5 midfielders will be sitting on the bench come kickoff.

Of late, Fabregas and Willian would almost guarantee starting spots, with Oscar usually getting a nod as well. Under previous manager Mourinho, the Blues also ran a 4-2-3-1, however Mourinho typically slotted Fabregas as a deep lying playmaker, alongside Nemanja Matic, like this:

Source: http://www.fourfourtwo.com/statszone/8-2015/matches/803394/player-stats#tabs-wrapper-anchor#:Hzf9U38239jLKA
Source: http://www.fourfourtwo.com/statszone/8-2015/matches/803394/player-stats#tabs-wrapper-anchor#:Hzf9U38239jLKA /

However in his quest to shore up the Chelsea defense, Hiddink has routinely placed 2 defensive midfielders behind the attacking trio, with John Obi Mikel pairing up with Matic as a shield in front of the defenders. Chelsea’s attacking prowess has suffered a bit under Hiddink, yet the undefeated streak stands.

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The reintroduction of Hazard in the listless match against Watford saw a re-invigorated Belgian star make an impact on the match. Many supporters believe that a successful Chelsea requires a successful Hazard. Now that his goal scoring drought has ended, we’ll see if the boss puts last years Player of the Year back into the starting XI against Manchester United, a match both sides will surely be focusing on as key.

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