What would you do? Your team, your tactics v. Fulham

By: Jack | September 19th, 2011

Chelsea begin play in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge.

It’s round three, and we open with a West London derby against Fulham. Second-rate competition against second-rate competition, eh? Not so much.

carling
Will not play

It would make sense for Andre Villas-Boas to make this competition a priority, similar to the way another Portugese did in his first season with the club. Trophies help cement foundations, people. Villas-Boas understands that success breeds success.

With that being said, this match is interesting for numerous reasons – namely the approach of AVB. Will he use the competition as a springboard for youth? One would think (hope) so. How will he move forward after the success seen after a halftime tactical change at Old Trafford on Sunday? These questions have bearing not just on the League Cup, but the season as a whole as well.

Me, I think Villas-Boas will bleed youth in this competition. I just pray we can sustain a run in it unlike last season when, despite Carlo showing some faith in youth, the team exited at the first hurdle. The likes of Oriol Romeu, Josh McEachran and Romelu Lukaku should expect a place in the starting XI on Wednesday. Ryan Bertrand should as well. Nathaniel Chalobah is a guy I’d like to see start alongside a more experienced central defender, Bob preferably. Hand Jacob Mellis and Billy Clifford places on the bench. I’d really like to see Villas-Boas go super young, with a sprinkle of veterans amongst them. I have confidence in these kids; I reckon the manager does, too.

Formation? I still like the 4-3-3, but the 4-2-3-1 is so dynamic. It’s been effective. This match represents a good time to employ it from the start, especially with the personnel. Why not pair the young Romeu with the more experienced John Obi Mikel in the double pivot? It’s not exactly brimming with creativity, but Romeu could do the job. He is Spanish, after all. Playing Josh in the hole? Sounds fishy, as he is more suited to a deeper role, but pairing him with Romeu right now seems too risky. Josh can pick a pass, so why not see what he can do further forward?

Among the more experienced lads I’d call on would be Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda. Anelka was very good in a reserve role on Sunday; Malouda, meanwhile, failed to find his way onto the pitch. Both will provide a good balance to the team. Make Paulo captain and put him at right back. Sounds good to me.

Jack’s XI
Turnbull
Paulo-Chalobah-Bob-Bertrand
Mikel-Romeu
Anelka-McEachran-Malouda
Lukaku

That’s what I would do. I think. But nobody really cares what I want to see. We want to know what you have in mind for Wednesday’s match. Let us know who’s in your XI, and how you’d tactically approach the game. We’re looking forward to hearing from you all. KTBFFH

Some Related Chelsea Posts:

On AVB, Tactics, and United

Category: League Cup, Opinion, Tactics

« Video: Manchester United 3-1 Chelsea (MotD) | Home | Carling Cup Preview: Chelsea v Fulham »

Denny

Taking a cue from SAF, I'd quite like to see:

--------Hilarious----------
-Torres-Drogba-Anelka-Mata-
---------Romeu----------
----McEachran----Luiz----
----------Meireles-------
----Lukaku----Ivanovic------

This team would win the Carling Cup, Superbowl, Ironman, Brickyard 500, and probably a fistfight.
Devin Anand

Drogba is confirmed by AVB to be back on the bench. He also confirms that McEachran, Bertrand, Romeu, and Lukaku will all get starts. So I'd like to see:

4-1-3-2

Turnbull; Paulo, Alex, Luiz, Bertrand; Romeu, Lampard; McEachran; Lukaku, Anelka

Bench: Hilario, Chalobah, Malouda, Kalou, Mikel, Drogba, Torres
Chenlsea

For this match, I will play a 4-4-2, primarily because we have too many youngsters. So I want to play it tight and at the same time, offensive enough. Secondly, I want to see Drogba and Lukaku double up front. So here my starting XI:

Turnbull

Ferreira, Alex, Luiz, Bertrand

Sturidge, MacEachran, Romeu, Malouda/Lampard

Drogba, Lukaku

KTBFFH
Gabernaola

turnbull
ferreira-alex-terry-bertrand
lampard-oriol
anelka-mceachran-kalou
lukaku
ph0bolus

Cech
Ferriera, Alex, Luiz, Bertrand
Romeu
Lampard McEachran
Mata
Sturridge Lukaku

Turnbull, Ramires, Anelka, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Kalou, Cole
Maysam

---------------Turnbull---------------Ferreira-----Alex-----Luiz----- Bertrand---------MacEchran--Lampards------------Kalou------Anelka-----Malouda------------------Drogba---------------If everything went on plan, I would use Romeu, Lakuka as wellI would take the game so serious, if I were AVB.
Maysam

It is kind of off the topic but I would like everyone to take a look at this article .. it is very nice, I hope Fernando takes a look at it too
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/ho...
Raynovo88

i would go with a 4-1-3-2

chech
ferreira---alex--luiz--bertrand
romeu
kalou---josh---malouda
anelka---lukaku

bench: drogs*, kaby, meireles,nathaniel,clifford,mellis, mikel
Raynovo88

sturridge instead of mikel. I think its balanced with a solid defence, i think chech had a break with the injury so he can play. i think we definately need to start,romeu,lukaku,JOSH, and bertrand. i we bring in 2-3 youngsters every year we will be great.
Kristonsmith

Turnbull- Ferreira- Alex- Luiz- Bertrand- Romeu- Maechran- Lampard (c)- Kalou- Lukaku- Mata
RobDenny

i think we need to realise fulham held city to a draw on the weekend!!! do we want to risk the embarassment of being knocked out the cup so early!!? i don't!!!

my 11:

cech
bosingwa/luiz, ivanovic, terry, cole
meireles, mceachran, lampard,
sturridge, lukaku, torres

mata on the bench to rest but available for creativity if we need it, anelka, bosingwa/luiz, malouda, ramires

weakened sides are just asking for trouble
Maysam

Completely agree
Denny

I agree with Rob. Haven't read what he said, but I totally agree with him.
Taf

I agree that we need to go with a the youth in this competitition, and would love to see that midfield 3 it looks promising, Im not sure abt the back though, maybe we need a bit of experience there and playing two inexperienced youngsters might be too much at this point, Why not have experience there and play Alex and Luiz instead, my formation would be a 4-2 3 1 as well:

Turnball

Ferreira,Luiz,Alex,Bertrand

Mikel, Romeu

Anelka,MacEachran,Malouda

Lukaku