It’s lovely to return to our regularly scheduled programming now that the World Cup is finished since Chelsea is associated with every high-value player worldwide.
Since the advent of new owner Todd Boehly, the Blues’ transfer strategy has sometimes resembled a scattershot approach to first-team acquisitions. Boehly seems to put a premium on data-driven transfer activity and youth investment, which augur well for the club’s long-term prosperity.
Since Boehly’s arrival, Chelsea has acquired Wesley Fofana, Gabriel Slonina, and Carney Chukwuemeka, among others, with a slew of other young talents on the way. While many of these players won’t reach their full potential for many years, the club is now creating a squad that might soon be the envy of every team in the globe.
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Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig is the latest wunderkind linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge. The center-back is just 20 years old, but he has been one of the Bundesliga’s most-talked-about prospects for the last two seasons, and he was exceptional during Croatia’s journey to the World Cup semifinals.
Gvardiol would be a short- and long-term acquisition since he might continue to play at the highest level for another 15 years but would also be able to contribute immediately. However, how would the Chelsea lineup with Gvardiol? Let’s examine various alternatives.
In the rear, four
Graham Potter is noted for his tactical versatility since his teams routinely alter their formation from game to game and even during games. In light of this, we decided to examine how Gvardiol may fit into various structures.
Gvardiol would generally serve as the left-sided central defender in a back four, with Wesley Fofana or Cesar Azpilicueta on his right. This would enable Ben Chilwell or Marc Cucurella to play a more conventional left-back position. Guardiola’s speed, calmness, and talent with the ball would enable the left-back the freedom to move up the field, knowing they have the backing of a central defender who can maintain a high line and keep things tight at the back.
GK: Mendy; RB: James; CB: Fofana; CB: Gvardiol; LB: Chilwell; CM: Jorginho; CM: Kovacic; RW: Sterling; CAM: Mount; LW: Pulisic; ST: Havertz.
In the rear, three
Potter and Gvardiol are hardly strangers to the back three formations. The Croatian can play as center-back and left-back, making him ideal for the left-sided central defender position in a three-man defense. In this position, he can combine his defensive prowess with marauding runs up the field, allowing his team to advance the ball while still being able to return to perform the dirty work swiftly.
Because both Chilwell and Cucurella are attack-minded fullbacks, a three-at-the-back formation including Gvardiol may be ideal for Chelsea.
GK: Mendy; CB: Azpilicueta, CB: Fofana, CB: Gvardiol; RWB: James; CM: Jorginho, CM: Kovacic, LWB: Chilwell; RW: Sterling, LW: Mount; ST: Havertz.
