Chelsea's Midfield? It's all about Tactics
Posted by Zeno in Chelsea | 25 July 2006
Ah, tactics ‘n’ strategy. Not as much fun as champagne ‘n’ caviar, or even beer ‘n’ crisps, and certainly not in the ballpark of sex ‘n’ drugs ‘n’ rock and roll. But when it comes to lazy hacks casting around for something to write about on a Tuesday morning, it's as good a subject as any other.
The Duffa’s off to Newcastle, which could go two ways for the quiet lad from Eire. He could be set free, to strut his stuff unfettered by those outdated old ideas about tracking back and defending with the team, as many hope. Or he could do what he’s done for the last season or so, which is plod down rather a lot of blind alleys, nick the odd goal, and contribute relatively little to the season. The Geordie retirement home for old Chelsea players seems to have clinched a very good deal at £5m, but it remains to be seen how much the lad has left in the tank. I wish him nothing but luck, but my instinct is to say that he’ll join that long line of Newcastle players that aren’t quite sure what they’re doing on the pitch and flutter around casting bemused glances at each other. A bit like a school disco without the girls. With Scottie Parker as captain, maybe things will change. Perhaps Glenn Roeder can inspire some grit. Perhaps not. But maybe the Toon should be asking themselves why Jose let the Duffa leave? He showed no compunction, after all, in stealing Billy Gallas’ car keys and locking Drogba in the equipment cupboard.
Because the big question, as we all know, is who gets to play where this year? And we’ve certainly got a surfeit of wingers for what is supposed to be an unorthodox 4-4-2. At the risk of rehashing something that most of the national papers have already delved into, let’s have a look through the squad. And, to save my time and not try your patience, let’s start in midfield.
A basic 4 is going to start with Makelele, to no one’s surprise. The diminutive and ever-smiling man from the Congo (via Gaul) was fantastic in Germany, his quiet efficiency offsetting Zidane’s fluency. There will undoubtedly come a time when the legs go and the smile wanes. Until then, we can rest secure in the knowledge that we have a man who could comfortably contend for the finest defensive midfielder the game has seen. Replacements come from a smallish pool: Lassana Diarra was ostensibly bought from Le Havre to cover this role, and has done well when he’s been allowed a run-out. In all honesty, though, Essien looks to me to be the man that’s really being groomed for that role. We’re told he can score – although the return was pretty minimal last season – but it’s the strength and indefatigable running that have been the hallmarks of his relatively short career. If he’s going to be in the running for an offensive midfield role – probably the single most over-subscribed pair of places in the team – he needs to demonstrate more incisive passing and a more accurate shot.
So, Lampard and Ballack. Christ, they even look similar, although one clearly has more European hair. Not that I’m laughing… I have the same barnet. When I watched Germany in the WC (how appropriate that abbreviation looks) I chimed in with many other commentators. How can they possibly play together? Yes, yes, we all know that Ballack is a tremendously versatile player, and can operate wide or as a deep playmaker next to Makelele. But at this stage of his career, does anyone honestly think he’s going to be asked to do anything other than produce what he did for Bayern? He’s a goalscoring, creative attacking midfielder, with a better touch and range than Lampard but not quite the prolific scoring boot. Perhaps he’ll sit ahead of Makelele, with Lampard on the right and AN Other – Robben? Cole? – on the left. Perhaps Lampard will do that, allowing Ballack to get further forward, although the German’s cultured long pass seems to suggest that he should occupy the playmaking engine room. What a dilemma to have, and one that Ferguson would surely kill – or at least lightly main and spray with spit – for.
Shaun W-P and Robben are the odd men out. It’s still a mystery to me as to why we bought SWP. In the same way that Arsene Wenger covets young French and African boys - no sniggering - Jose has a well-known predilection for players of a certain physical presence: Drogba, Shevchenko, and so on. Shaun’s slight build and seeming lack of confidence leaves me concerned that he’s going to struggle again for games this year. He’s going to need to hit the ground running very fast indeed in pre-season, if he’s not to spend another year making cameo appearances in the FA Cup and trying to impose himself on a League game with 10 minutes left. And again, when he did make it onto the pitch last year he went down an awful lot of those blind alleys that I mentioned earlier. Blame Sven for not taking him to Germany? I wouldn’t have taken him to Bognor on the strength of that season. He’s a good player: this we know. He’s also, clearly, a confidence player. He needs a run in the side: something that we’re unlikely to be able to offer him. But we also need depth in the squad for a meaningful run in the Champions’ League, and that’s what’s on the manager’s mind. Whether he’ll have anything worth producing when he does get a chance is another story. Stay fresh, stay fit, and stay hungry, Shaun, because when your chance comes you’re going to need to tackle it, hold it down, and beat it senseless with the wet end of its own windpipe. Because Robben, injuries permitting, is going to play, and so is Cole. It doesn’t leave much space.
Next time: a look at the striking options. OK, so we only have three strikers, but I’m sure I’ll be able to spin another 1000 words out of it.
