What’s Chelsea’s first choice XI with N’Golo Kante?
By Tom Bogert
Option one: 3-5-2
Conte played 3-5-2 at his time in Italy as well as with the Italian national team. Just ask Spain how pesky that formation could be. But, on paper, this is a brilliantly attacking football team, unlike the players at his disposal in Italy.
The biggest difference is Conte had fullbacks playing in the wingback/outside midfield slots for Italy. At Chelsea with the midfield talent they got, Conte wouldn’t be able to afford playing with three central defenders and two further fullbacks. That would mean two of Hazard, Willian, Cesc Fabregas, Matic and Kante wouldn’t be able to play. Why? So Cesar Azpilicueta and John Terry can get into the team, pushing Branislav Ivanovic out wide to have his corpse feasted upon by opposing wingers again?
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On paper, this team should be able to beat anyone. The only problem is having the attacking wingers in the wide positions. What happens when an opposing side pegs Chelsea back and Hazard and Willian are forced to defend deep and diligently? If they don’t, then the central defenders are regularly asked to stray wide of the 18 yard box.
There are problems in this team, enough that we were unable to even talk about the strikers and Fabregas, and the only times Hazard and Willian were mentioned was to deride their defensive abilities.
Kante slides in next to Matic which causes Fabregas to move forward up the pitch. It alleviates his defensive responsibilities and maybe with the nature of both Kante and Matic that Hazard and Willian won’t have to defend as deep, as both defensive midfielders are adept at steaming out wide to douse attacks.
Next: Option two: 3-5-2