Chelsea tactics: 5 ways the Blues will cope without Morata

Push Pedro Forward

I expect Conte to defer to using Batshuayi and Hazard up front as a buzzing Belgian duo for most of the next 8 weeks. That combination will probably be best for the Premier League where pace and strength are more important.

One way that Conte could change things up in the Champions League is by playing Pedro as a forward. The Spanish attacker usually plays wide right as part of a three. Yet if they are to keep a 3-5-2 formation, rather than revert to last year’s 3-4-3, then Pedro would be a good alternative.

Chelsea face Roma twice over the course of Morata’s expected absence. Those are ideal games for him to be used as a forward. There were times last season when Pedro partnered Diego Costa but that was not too fruitful.

Pedro is not fast or strong enough to disrupt the physical defenses of the Premier League. But the slower pace of Serie A oppositon will far better suit the Spaniard’s skill set. He also knows how to score. Considering he primarily plays as a midfielder his goal scoring ratio of one every four games is strong. He is a viable option for a handful of these games.