EPL 2017/18: How Chelsea could line up this season?

The Premier League season begins in less than a month and the clubs have started to mould their team for the upcoming edition. The managers are tinkering with their squads in order to find the perfect balance for their teams as the season draws closer.

Some managers have already found the perfect formula, while some others are still scratching their heads wondering what to do next – and Antonio Conte is one of them. After losing to Inter in a friendly encounter, the Italian hoped that Chelsea don’t have another “Mourinho season” as a result of failing to acquire his transfer targets.

However, so far, they have signed quite well, completing moves for Alvaro Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Antonio Rudiger to increase the strength in depth of the squad.

With that, we can guess how the former Juventus boss will line up his team for this season in a 3-4-3/5-2-3 formation...

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Goalkeeper

The Belgian is set to be Chelsea's first choice for a long time to come

There is really nothing new here. Yeah, Willy Caballero has been signed on a free-transfer, but he is obviously not going to be a starter as Thibaut Courtois is going to guard the goal for Chelsea for a long, long time to come.

The Belgian dispatched club legend, Petr Cech, from the starting XI and made that spot his own as he now reigns as the sole guardian between the posts. In his three years at the Stamford Bridge, he has made 108 appearances and won the Premier League Golden Glove last term.

This is the one position that Conte has nothing to think about as Thibaut Courtois would be his first choice even if, God forbid, he was in a wheelchair. The former Atletico Madrid shotstopper is among the top 5 goalkeepers in the world and is set to be Chelsea’s goalkeeper for at least another 5 years.

Defenders

Rudiger with his former manager, Luciano Spaletti

After the acquisition of Antonio Rudiger from Roma, it seems likely that Cesar Azplicueta will be shifted to the right to take the place that was acquired by Victor Moses last term. The Spaniard has been among the ever-consistent players for Chelsea – regardless of where he played in defence – and will almost certainly continue to be so.

At left-wing-back, Marcos Alonso made a bright start to his career last term. The Spaniard was one of the key players that allowed Conte’s 3-4-3 to work efficiently. However, the Real Madrid academy product has his shortcomings, which could be found out in Europe this season. Hence, if Chelsea manage to bring in Alex Sandro, then he shall be the starting wing-back on the left.

For the three men at the centre of the defence, David Luiz will continue playing in the sweeper role between captain Gary Cahill and new signing, Antonio Rudiger. By the end of the season, there is a good chance that Andreas Christensen would take over from the newly-appointed captain – in an ideal world, he should have already.

However, we live in a world that is far from ideal. Given that Cahill is now Chelsea’s new captain, it is highly unlikely that he won’t be a starter at the beginning of the season.

Midfielders

Kante challenges Borja Valero

With the acquisition of Tiemoue Bakayoko from AS Monaco, it is clear that Chelsea are set to play a double pivot in midfield – just like they did last season. However, there is going to be a slight change in personnel as Bakayoko will take the place of Nemanja Matic this season.

The Serbian is most likely going to play at the Old Trafford next season as Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in bringing his former player. Meanwhile, Chelsea moved in quickly to sign Monaco’s most important player from last term.

While Kylian Mbappe might be the one that earned the most plaudits, Bakayoko’s tactical importance to Leonardo Jardim’s team can’t be undermined.

With him on board alongside N’Golo Kante, Chelsea have the steeliest midfield in the Premier League, but could lack the creativity against the tougher oppositions.

Regardless of that, the destructive force of the French duo is something would be very hard to contain and even harder to get past. Should they fail to inspire creativity, there is always Cesc Fabregas to turn to and save the day.

Forwards

Morata will lead the line for Chelsea this season

In the frontline, the choice is very straightforward. Eden Hazard is an indispensable player as the left-inside while Pedro Rodriguez is the direct runner from the right-wing. Meanwhile, the £70 million-man, Alvaro Morata, will spearhead the attack from the centre.

On paper, this looks like a hell of a pairing. Both Morata and Hazard are brilliant on the ball and Pedro is one of the most intelligent players off it. When combined, we could see Pedro exploding and having his best goal-scoring season after benefitting from the link-up play of Morata and Hazard.

Meanwhile, Morata is someone who loves to make plays in attack, which will also help Hazard to score more goals. We have often seen Hazard not making the final runs after playing a killer ball, but with Morata’s one-touch football, he is bound to.

While this is certainly going to be the starting trio for Chelsea, Willian could also be added in place of Pedro against oppositions that play a deep-defensive line.