Chelsea fans could see their team line-up in a 3-5-2 formation more often than not this season. After an underwhelming start to their season, Conte has switched to his favoured 3-5-2, a formation which bought him most of his success. Chelsea’s main problem has been their defense. They’ve leaked too many goals at the back and which caused their downfall. Conte addressed it as he came in and signed up two defensive players in David Luiz and Marco Alonso.
Chelsea have options at the back but Conte’s main problem is gonna be to choose who’s gonna fit in the best in his 3 at the back defense. We look at the options for Conte and choose the best fit at the back 3.
Chelsea boast a pool of players at the back who are one of the most experienced in the Premier League. Chelsea’s captain John Terry will be the first choice, if fit to lead the defense. He’s 35 now but still is their best centre back choice.
David Luiz left Chelsea because of his incapabilities at the back more than the fact that Chelsea wanted to cash in on him and 3 year since he hasn’t been any well defensively but he could be their best choice when it comes to playing the ball from the back. He can use his passing abilities to spray then ball constantly to wing backs and central mid-fielders. He is their best ball playing choice as the centre-back.
Kurt Zouma has started some light training but still could be a month away from his return from the dreadful injury he suffered last season. The choice for the third choice centre back lies on Gary Cahill, Ivanovic and Kurt Zouma. Gary Cahill hasn’t a great start to his season, assisted two times to opposition with his back passes.
Ivanovic has been the target for most of the Chelsea since last season but he’s one of their most experienced player could fit in well in the Conte’s 3 at the back system. Although Cesar Azpilicueta started ahead of the Serbian in the clash against Hull City, but the Spaniard could be better suited in the wing back position. But having shown that he’s capable of doing the job as a part of the back 3 he could also be a choice for Conte.
Kurt Zouma when fit will be the best fit for Conte in his 3-5-2 formation as the third choice centre back. He’s quick, he’s strong, he can tackle, he’s good in air and he’s young. He along with Terry and Luiz will be the best centre back trio for Chelsea.
John Terry will help them out with his positional defending and also vocally to keep them intact, Luiz will be the job to play the ball from the back and Zouma will help them with his speed and agility to break things up and to cover up the spaces.
Conte is master of 3-5-2 and two months in charge at Chelsea he knows his players well now but it’ll take him time to know his best defensive trio to give them the solidarity needed at the back.
