With the managerial merry-go-round forever spinning at Chelsea, Mourinho has brought stability to Chelsea with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.
Many argue that Chelsea are too quick to jump the gun and sack managers when they haven’t had enough time to unravel the winning formula, but it seems it has taken Mourinho no time at all to decide on a formation and tactics that work for Chelsea.
Under previous managers such as Andre Villas-Boas and Rafael Benitez, there has been constant changes to the formation and tactics as they have been unable to find a consistently successful formation which has lead to their eventual sacking. Jose Mourinho arrived at Chelsea and it immediately became apparent the 4-2-3-1 formation he used at Real Madrid was going to be his deployed formation this year and it has brought immediate success, with Chelsea’s results this season supporting that point.
So how does the system work? Mourinho has drilled into his centre backs that he wants them to put their defensive responsibilities first. Although he has encouraged them to contribute to moves, Mourinho has favoured Terry and Cahill in the centre of his defence over Luiz so he has that he has two assured defenders that will not go flying forward leaving the team exposed.
Mourinho’s use of full backs are important to the 4-2-3-1 formation, as not only are they expected to be ever present when defending, but are also encouraged to get forward and support the attacking midfielder that plays in front of them. Mourinho has also introduced the notion of early crosses from out wide, with Ivanovic and Azpilicueta instructed to get balls in the box as well as combine with the creativity of the attacking midfielders.
The two holding midfielders in Mourinho’ 4-2-3-1 are the key to the set-up as they are base of stability in the side. The holding midfielders are expected to contribute to the attack by playing pin point passes, but their main task is to break play down, prevent counter attacks and dictate in the middle of the pitch. Mourinho knows this is a key position, so much so he was willing to spend 20 million on Matic to ensure they are strong in this role.
Mourinho’s made it clear early on in the season saying he wanted to build the team around Oscar in the number 10 role. He said: “I want to build with Oscar as my number 10. I want the other two players, from the side (wings), to adapt to that reality and to learn how to do things that they were not ready to do before.” The number 10 role in Mourinho’s formation is expected to contribute defensively as well as being the key point in the attack who plays the clever through balls. Mata’s failure to contribute defensively was Mourinho’s reason for dropping the Spaniard until eventually letting him go.
The two wingers on either side of the number 10 are given the freedom to attack and be creative. They are given offensive freedom, encouraged to take players on and create goals scoring chances. All 3 attacking midfielders in the formation are given freedom to interchange positions during attacks full of flair and incisiveness. However, wingers are expected to contribute a high work rate, track back and aid the full backs when defending, something both Hazard and Willian have added to their game this year.
The lone striker at the helm of the attack is arguably tasked with some of the hardest roles to fill. Mourinho expects his striker to work hard, closing down the ball when defenders have it up the pitch. When attacking, the striker has been told to hold up the ball and feed the three that play in behind him as well as making forward runs dragging defenders away and creating space. The is a task that Mourinho has faith Eto’o can do this season and is slowly starting to show he is capable of this.
In Chelsea’s 4-2-3-1, all players are expected to contribute to both phases of the game twinned with Mourinho’s underlined philosophy of a high work rate from all players. The formation has already seen stars axed as they are unable to adapt such as Mata, but has also seen players flourish such as Azpilicueta, Oscar and Hazard. All though the question does remain, will Mourinho’s formation bring success to Stamford Bridge this year?
