With the new signings of this transfer window, and the players back from loan, Chelsea’s manager, Jose “The Happy One” Mourinho has better options of squad and formations to be used for next season.
Andre Schürrle and Marko Van Ginkel’s recent arrivals, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thomas Kalas, Lucas Piazon, and many more who were back to Stamford Bridge add the quality and quantity of Chelsea squad for next season. Though, Marko Marin, Thibaut Courtois, Oriol Romeu and some players will spend another season as loanees.
The Formations that Mourinho will possibly play next season
Jose Mourinho, he used to play 4-3-3 formation in his old days with Chelsea. But will he keep using his legendary 4-3-3? Time changes, it has been about 9 years since Mourinho took the Chelsea manager hot seat. The formations, playing styles, tactics, and strategies have changed since. Mourinho himself didn’t stick with 4-3-3 anymore in Real Madrid.
I’m a fan of 4-2-3-1 formation. Balance of attack and defence, possession of the ball on the midfield, width from the wing backs, and many more. It’s the most used formation by top clubs nowadays.
But who will mind if we don’t stuck to one formation? It will be harder for the opponents to guess our tactics.
Here’s some of the formations I suggest us to use for next season.
4-2-3-1

It can be upgraded to 4-2-1-3 with Hazard and KdB as wide forwards.
Our main formation last season. We will probably stick with it.
Honestly, it didn’t work well last season. Why?
Playing 5 midfielders, we wanted to have more possession, win the ball in second third, flow the ball, be good on defence and attack transition. In fact, even Arsenal had more possession overall.
It happened because we didn’t have decent ball playing midfielder. Last season we lost Meireles who was meant to play this role. Mikel’s always a defensive minded holding midfielder, he intercepted, tackled, won the ball, but couldn’t play the ball. David Luiz was our best ball playing midfielder, despite he used to play as Centre Back. He did good on winning the possession.
I don’t find a decent ball playing midfielder in our current squad. Van Ginkel, the freshman, is another box to box midfielder. Oscar has a little chance to play this role, but with his strength, I can’t see it happening. Will De Rossi be the solution?
Second reason why 4-2-3-1 wasn’t working well is the left wing back. In 4-2-3-1, 2 wing backs have to support the attacking players by playing widely. Azpilicueta has done well since the day one, he has been irreplceable on the right. The problem was Ashley Cole. Cole isn’t a wing back but a full back. He couldn’t go forward and cross well, I’ve seen how Hazard being exploited on the left, he even tracked back to cover Cole. That’s why I put Bertrand on my XI, he’s better wing back. Unfortunately, he doesn’t defend well.
Last reason. Right attacking midfielder or right winger. Oscar, Moses, Marin, and Benayoun wasn’t decent. I don’t need to explain it. But Mourinho has De Bruyne in his disposal now, it will be the answer.
4-3-3

Our squad have many CM, this formation will fit them. Box to box players can play in their favorite positions while Mata is having a rest. I also rotate some players. Alternative
The negative things of this formation are :

• There is no play maker
• With the current players, 3 CMs can’t defend well
• Only Kevin De Bruyne among all Chelsea wingers who can cross decently

4-3-1-2

In a condition we need to play long balls, this formation is needed. Though, I don’t see 2 up front strikers will work well. But this formation fit our strikers. Ba and Lukaku are targetman type of strikers. They need directness, long balls, than midfielders around the penalty box. Torres as a deep lying forward to link up the ball. Sounds good tactically, but who knows?
There are many options for our formation, but in the end, it lies on Jose Mourinho’s hand. Have faith, and hope the players do their best for the club. -Crissandy
Feedback will be appreciated, you can write your comments below, or contact me via twitter @gerrycrissandy. Sorry for my English.