Analysing Jose Mourinho's Plan B that changes the game for Chelsea

3 stay back, as Lampard and Ramires push forwards. The wing-backs are up as well, while Willian is just a little off the frame. This kind of structure gives Chelsea a good option in retreating and removing a bit off a sting out of quick opposition transitions and counter-attacks.

Here we see Willian slightly retreating towards the right-back position as there is an impending danger of Chelsea loosing the ball to Cardiff. Also note how Lampard rushes towards the Cardiff player and Ramires drops deep to put himself in a better position for initiating defensive transitions.

Now see how ahead the pivot and the wing-backs are. This could be called the killer frame. It shows that Chelsea aren’t worried about retreating as their focus is 99% only on attack. The rest 1% is on Willian and Hazard’s shoulders as they carefully think out their movement.

The Cardiff player gets to the ball played for Torres, but Torres wins a corner. Willian takes it, and Cardiff head it out. Lampard plays the ball in and the ball is kicked out towards Oscar who lays it for Hazard who in turn finds Eto’o who puts Chelsea 2-1 up.

The attacking transition is ironically more attack minded than the classic 4-2-3-1. Self explanatory roles, but one must also note that the relationship between the pivot and the attacking midfielders is much higher than it usually is. There is a fine line between conceding a goal and scoring a goal, both of which can be affected by the midfielders.

To summarize, Jose’s plan B is a high risk scenario. However if its benefits include 3 points, then the Portuguese manager can easily combine it with a solid defensive plan.

Eto’o scores, and is eventually taken off as Azpilicueta comes on. Chelsea revert back to a 4-2-3-1. Brilliant, innit?