Before his arrival at Stamford Bridge, there was much speculation with regards to what formation Antonio Conte would deploy at Chelsea.
Everyone had tipped him to implement his famous 3-5-2 formation that worked so well for Juventus and the Italian national team, however from the early stages of his time at Chelsea, it looks as if he will stick to what the players now and go with a four-back formation.
The two most prominent versions have been 4-2-4 or a 4-4-1-1. Despite just two games in charge and only a handful of training sessions with what is not even a complete squad yet, this Chelsea squad already seem to have much more of an identity about them.
In his first game in charge, Conte deployed a 4-4-1-1, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek starting in a much more attacking role. It saw him start in what Football Manager players around the world will know as a ‘Shadow striker’ role. More advanced than a number 10, but not quite a striker. Something that Conte has been open about trying.
Every manager has their own idea about a system of play. In this system, with two midfielders, Ruben can play close to the other forward but become a forward when we have the ball. He has the right characteristics to play in this position and he showed that today.
The inclusion of Loftus-Cheek worked well in both the formations and the 4-2-4 looks like it could benefit Chelsea and the players that are currently in the squad.
Conte lined his team up with Brazilian midfielder, Oscar in a deeper role, something that Blues fans have longed to see after his struggles as a number 10.
The formation has plenty of reasons for Chelsea fans to be cheerful, especially if it includes the likes of Loftus-Cheek and Ola Aina into the first-team squad.
Now, the realists and ‘glass half empty’ people of this world will be quick to point out that we’ve only played two games against sides from the Austrian top flight, granted. But it has left reasons to be hopeful never the less.
What the 4-2-4 does offer is the opportunity to overload an opponent’s defence in attacking positions, something that Chelsea did so well against RZ Pellets, which led to two of the three goals.
As shown above, Chelsea utilised both their wide man well, throughout the game, as they have the chance to come inside due to the space left from not having a number 10, as well as sticking to the touchline and delivering balls to the two strikers.
The Blues exploited the Austrian side on several occasions throughout the game doing just that. Victor Moses came close by hitting the post in the first-half in what was a similar move.
With Loftus-Cheek or Traore, using the example of the first goal, playing much further forward when in possession of the ball, it leaves room for one of the central midfielders to push on and join the attack, giving defenders another body to contempt with.
Matic, at times against RZ Pellets, found himself with plenty of room to dictate play and recycle the ball into wide areas.
This is something that Chelsea will be glad to see, given the arrival of N’Golo Kante and with Cesc Fabregas to return to the squad. The prospect of the Spaniard finding himself in advanced positions similar to those of Matic with Kante picking up the pieces behind him could see the former Catalan man recapture some of his best form. This could increase Chelsea’s Premier League odds.
To have a player like Kante in a deeper more defensive role alongside the Spaniard will give Conte’s side the chance to take control of games and get themselves on the front foot, dictating the speed, something Chelsea failed to do last season.
Two strikers is another appealing lure of this formation, something that Chelsea fans haven’t seen in a long time at Stamford Bridge. It is something that could bring the best out of Diego Costa and Michy Batshuayi, who played in a two-striker formation in France.
From what we have seen in the early stages of Conte’s time at Chelsea, you can bet that, regardless of the formation, his team is going to be hard working one that will make it difficult for any opposition.
Time will tell which formation Conte will utilise and the squad’s understanding of his demands will only improve as he has more time on the training ground with them, but the attacking style of play shown in the 4-2-4 gives Chelsea fans plenty of reasons to be hopeful about next season.
