Chelsea’s impressive run of victories since switching to a 3-4-3 formation reached new heights after their biggest and arguably most important victory of the season; a 4-0 drubbing of Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.
It is the system that we all expected to see when Antonio Conte first took the reins at Stamford Bridge, but for one reason or another it has taken up until a few weeks ago for the Italian coach to introduce what is believed to be his preferred formation at Chelsea.
Few could argue though that the switch to 3-4-3 was well worth the wait as Chelsea have been seriously impressive, earning them consecutive wins and clean sheets since it was first implemented against Burnley.
The clash against Manchester United was supposed to be the first real testing fixture for the new system, but there was no evidence of any troubles as the Blues breezed past the The Special One’s very unspecial side on Sunday.
Conte is very consistent with his selection, as even captain John Terry has spent his time on the bench since his return from injury last week. There wasn’t one bad performance in a Blue shirt on Sunday and every player deserves the place in the side they are playing so well to keep. However two players who may find it particularly difficult to force a way into the side are Oscar and Cesc Fabregas.
The two of them are similar in the position that they play, both can play and could count the number 10 role as their most influential position, however they have both played a little deeper in the past – Fabregas was very often used deeper alongside Matic in Chelsea most recent league triumph two seasons ago.
However it was Oscar who was given the nod over his Spanish teammate in a similar position earlier on this season.
In the new system, Matic and Kante seem to be two of the first names on the team sheet. Both are well able to play a holding role but possess ample quality to effect the game further up the pitch, made evident by Matic topping the league’s assist chart and Kante’s wonderfully-crafted goal at the weekend. What is perhaps most attractive to Conte though is their industry, enabling them to be complete midfielders.
Fabregas and Oscar obviously have a lot to offer in the attacking third, but they are perhaps not as influential defensively. That is not to suggest that the two aren’t competent in a deeper role, but creating as opposed to preventing goals is what both are better known for. Oscar is an especially good tackler, perhaps somewhat insidiously considering his slender frame, but he has never really been employed as a holding midfielder.
As previously mentioned, the two have far more experience playing further up the pitch, as an attacking midfielder or a number 10. But does that position really exist in Conte’s 3-4-3? The two players deployed between the midfield and the lone striker at the moment are more direct than both Oscar and Fabregas, who could both be considered more traditional playmakers.
Hazard, Willian and Pedro, the players in contention for the two roles behind Costa, are all equally inept playing wide and cutting in as well as in the hole behind the forward.Oscar has played on the left of an attacking three in the past, but his impact on the game is limited there. Fabregas has also formed part of a front three before, playing a false 9 position for Barcelona and the Spanish national side, but again it is far from his best position.
The two of the players in question still have so much to offer the team. Though it is true that the system Conte is using at the moment is his favourite and probably the strongest, that is not to say it will always be the best option.
Chalobah has been used from the bench in recent matches, replacing one of the front three to sure up the midfield, but if Chelsea were to find themselves chasing the game, Oscar and Fabregas might be preferred to add a little more creativity. Every team needs a plan B and it shows the strength of the squad to be able to call on reinforcements such as Oscar and Fabregas as an alternative option.
The big question is whether there is space for both. It has been clear since the beginning of the season that Conte doesn’t want to play the pair at the same time, with Oscar seeming to have the edge from the manager’s point of view. Now both men will struggle to find a place in the starting 11, and both offering a similar option, it might result in one losing his place in the squad.
Fabregas missed Sunday’s game through injury whilst Oscar was an unused substitute after returning from compassionate leave. Antonio Conte Stating his desire for both to stay earlier in the season has done very little to deflect the rumours linking the Brazilian and Spaniard with moves away from West London, but it is still at an early stage of a long season and the pair could yet prove pivotal in Chelsea’s title challenge.
But with a change of style that favours neither player, there could be uncertainty in their futures at the Bridge.
