What’s Chelsea’s first choice XI with N’Golo Kante?
By Tom Bogert
Option three: 4-3-3
Shifting to a more traditional Premier League formation, well more so than three in the back, is a 4-3-3.
The chief concern with this formation is Ivanovic. Last season when he was isolated on the flank it was as if he was trying to defend with cement in his shoes and an anchor in his shorts. He looked clueless and hopeless, especially in the beginning of the season.
When he filled in at center back he begun to return to the form we’ve become accustomed to seeing from Ivanovic. It’s important to see if that will prove to be an aberration or him truly losing his battle with father time earlier than anticipated. A lot will hinge on Ivanovic because in the modern Premier League, every single team has a player who can exploit a weak link.
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Speaking of returning to form, that’s what Chelsea need from Hazard next season. The former Premier League Player of the Year had a loss of output that was inexplicable. Where’s the precedence for a player of his age and proven caliber to completely capitulate for a season? There is none.
Conventional wisdom has Hazard returning to something closer of the Player of the Year form rather than the anonymous and ignominious one of last season.
Costa retains his place on the front line with Batshuayi splitting wide right in favor of Willian. Between the three of them, two could populate this formation. Batshuayi gets the nod to allay some of the goal scoring pressure off Costa, so he can have another finisher near him in the team. If Willian has a flaw, it’s a lack of constant goals, which is fine because he’s a midfielder not a striker.
Next: Option four: 4-2-3-1