FFS, Play Drogba and Anelka

[hanuma]

Defenders have a hard enough time dealing with an on form Drogba by himself. Every time we bring on Anelka it's too much for opposition teams.

This is my one major criticism of Grant, he's been so cautious after the one bad experience of Anelka and Drogba in the Carling Cup Final. He may not work back to defend, but Essien in the side covers so much ground, indefatigably, that it doesn't matter. The attacking benefits far outweigh the defensive drawbacks.

Anelka is infinitely superior to Kalou and Malouda, his touch is imperious, he's a big guy with a big frame that's so hard to get the ball off. He's a very good passer of the ball with superb vision. Drogba wants to play with him - they have an understanding. PLAY HIM!

Essien Terry Carvo A.Cole
Maka
Ballack Mikel Lampard
Anelka Drogba

or

Essien Terry Carvo A.Cole
Maka
Ballack Lampard
J.Cole Drogba Anelka

[NJ10]

Anelka certainly did well from the right for Drogba's 2nd goal last night (although to be honest I would fancy my own chances of ghosting in behind John Arne Riise!).

You are right that he is way better than either Kalou or Malouda, I cant believe the performances of Malouda this season. I wanted him at Liverpool last summer, and thought Chelsea had a great signing (especially for cheaper than they sold Robben for), and when he started the season well it looked like they had a star on their hands. But at the moment he looks a shadow of a player, his decision making looks woeful at times.

[hanuma]

In fairness few of our players cover themselves in glory for decision making in the final third. Malouda's only plus side is that he keeps the ball well and when he wants to he sees a cross or pass infinitely quicker than SWP and Kalou.

Under Jose he might have been a star, under Grant we've gone backwards in the sense that our forwards are isolated more until we need to score goals and one-on-one Malouda isn't going to do an awful lot of damage.

[Sven]

A.Cole fan now then Hanuma?

[c.ronaldo#1]

Cashley is as good as it gets in big games. He is one of the few great players in england.

[hanuma]

Originally Posted by Sven

A.Cole fan now then Hanuma?

Resigned to defeat, he played great against Liverpool. For me Bridge is no worse a defender and a much better attacker, with more pace and a better cross - but he still never gets picked. Ashley must be a very good trainer.

[Dellas]

Originally Posted by hanuma

Defenders have a hard enough time dealing with an on form Drogba by himself. Every time we bring on Anelka it's too much for opposition teams.

This is my one major criticism of Grant, he's been so cautious after the one bad experience of Anelka and Drogba in the Carling Cup Final. He may not work back to defend, but Essien in the side covers so much ground, indefatigably, that it doesn't matter. The attacking benefits far outweigh the defensive drawbacks.

Anelka is infinitely superior to Kalou and Malouda, his touch is imperious, he's a big guy with a big frame that's so hard to get the ball off. He's a very good passer of the ball with superb vision. Drogba wants to play with him - they have an understanding. PLAY HIM!

Essien Terry Carvo A.Cole
Maka
Ballack Mikel Lampard
Anelka Drogba

or

Essien Terry Carvo A.Cole
Maka
Ballack Lampard
J.Cole Drogba Anelka

I would love to see the top formation, still not so sure tho about putting Anelka on the wing. essien would pretty much be able to cover the whole right wing and Lampard and A.Cole have a gd understanding so that would be the width on the left wing.

Apparently Anelka was brought in for next season, tho I disagre with this, if he was why not buy him at the end of the season why in the jan transfer window? I feel that Grant wants to stick the formation that he knows chelsea can win with so he would rather put 2 wingers on the wing than Anelka.

The thing is if we play both Anelka and Drogba which attacking option can come on and actually do some damage to the oposition. I mean yeah j.cole and kalou can but they wouldn't have the same affect that Anelka does...tho tbh that isn't a really gd reason...

it is true that with Anelka and Drogba on the pitch we look a lot more deadly. Lets hope that next season Drogba is still here and we will have more chances to play them together.

[hanuma]

We really saw it work today against Newcastle at the start of the 2nd half:

Cech
Paulo Terry Carvo Bridge
Mikel
Essien Ballack Malouda
Drogba Anelka

Similar to AC Milan when they were at their peak a few years back....similar to when we had Crespo and Drogba playing together when we won the title. It's a system that I think gets the best out of all the players in it, if you wanted to include Lampard he could go where Essien is and Essien goes to right back. Joe can play where Malouda is too. Don't have to play it all the time, but we should play it far more and just be confident in the players ability to dominate matches.

If we were playing Utd tomorrow the two systems I'd like to see in the first then second would be:

Essien Terry Carvo A.Cole
Maka
Lampard Ballack
J.Cole Drogba Anelka

then

Essien Terry Carvo A.Cole
Mikel
Lampard Ballack J.Cole
Drogba Anelka

[Kemmie]

I agree hanny,just cant help feeling essien at rback is a waste.We clearly need at least one quality rback if we are even considering putting ess there just to get him in the team.
We have surplus quality playrs in areas which is gd for injuries and suspensions but to be honest we can no longer really pick a single fave team and consequently rotation is probably essential just to give evryone a game so they dont get pissd off.Playrs should be gd enuf that swapping about wont upset the team being settled.
I def agree we need 2 upfront.Didier has allways playd better with someone beside him, even sheva at times.
Would like to see us get danny alves.
On another note,i think malouda will be better nxt seasn.Drogba,essien,ballack all had comparitively poor first seasns.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Anelka have been poor after he joined Chelsea.

[hanuma]

Not poor, but not nearly as sharp as we'd hoped. Really lacking confidence in front of goal. Prefers to pass to his teammates.

Originally Posted by Kemmie

just cant help feeling essien at rback is a waste.

Can't agree, at rightback he's more than quick enough to add to the midfield, get ahead of the midfield and still get back to defend very well. I think he's unique and a luxury that all clubs would dearly love.

Would like to see us get danny alves.

We bought Ivanovich who will play at rightback a fair bit. Alves is way overpriced.

[Candide]

--------------------Cech-------------------
--Ferreira--Terry--Carvalho--A.Cole--
------------------Essien------------------
----------Lampard-----Ballack----------
---J. Cole-------Drogba------Anelka---

No shortage of talent on the bench:
Shevchenko
Pizarro
Malouda
Belletti
Alex
Wright-Phillips
Kalou
Makelele
Mikel
Bridge

And to think Chelsea can afford to loan Boulahrouz and Crespo.

[NJ10]

I actually think Essien is more wasted when played deep in midfield than at right back. At least from right back he can surge forward as he likes to do, when played in the "Makelele" position it is far less likely to happen, esp with Ballack/Lampard/J Cole doing similar things themselves...

[hanuma]

Until recently his surges forward were normally average for a midfielder, but of a very high quality for a fullback, so in that sense he was better served as an attacking presence at rightback. He's sharpened up over the course of the last 2 months to the extent where you could play him up front, or wide left and he'd come up with something for you.

[hanuma]

Buying Bosingwa makes me think the narrow 442 is going to be our primary shape next season.

Cech
Bosingwa Terry Carvo A.Cole
Mikel
Essien Lampard
Ballack
Drogba Anelka