Are Chelsea Making a Move Towards a False 9?

During the summer transfer window, Roberto Di Matteo's Chelsea picked up numerous talents such as Eden Hazard and Oscar, however they didn't make one signing to bolster the front line. This was criticised quite a bit by the media, especially considering the inconsistency of Fernando Torres after his £50m move from Liverpool, and the pressure of his cost was even greater now that he is even more important after the departure of Didier Drogba.

Some of the players they have signed haven't even played at the Stamford Bridge yet, names such as Kevin De Bruyne and Marko Marin, whilst players such as Victor Moses have seen most of the action from the bench, despite the ex-Wigan winger's impact in a number of matches already this season.

What to do When: Up Against a 3 Man Defence

In the modern game, a team cannot simply go out on to the pitch with no previous analysis of their opposition, have a game plan of a 'kick and rush' style and just sit deep whilst playing long balls to their forwards, football is much more complicated than that now, which has been shown by how successful Martinez' approach at Swansea has developed from them being a League One outfit to a side who can beat Arsenal at their own fluid passing game.

The Two Most Common Midfield Setups

They say that the game is won or lost in the midfield, which is due to the area's importance in the tempo of the game, and is why you see so many teams switching to formations with more than 3 midfielders to ensure that they don't lose the all important battle in the centre of the park.

It isn't just a numerical advantage which allows you to dominate the innermost area of the pitch, organisation, ability, and the general set up of the midfielders are also factors which effect the outcome of the aforementioned battle, the latter is what I will be talking about throughout this article.

There are two systems in midfield which are predominant over the others, the double-pivot, and the destroyer, passer, and creator trio.

The Importance of the Deep-Lying Playmaker

The playmaker is the most influential player in any side. Whether it be the great defensive Il Grande Inter or the stylish and fluid Dutch team of the '70s who pioneered the totaalvoetbal system which revolutionised attacking in the modern game, in every great side there is one clear constant; each has had a playmaker orchestrating the side's tempo, build-up and attacks.

Why the 3-5-2 is Failing to Work in England

After Juventus' magnificent campaign last season which saw them go unbeaten whilst conceding just 20 goals, teams have tried to emulate their system, to nowhere near as much success. Antonio Conte, who was recently banned for 10 months for match fixing with former club Siena (awful news for the Old Lady who have finally won the scudetto after their infamous calciopoli scandal which saw them relegated to Serie B) employed a 3-5-2 system which proved to be very strong defensively, as Buffon was protected by Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci - a defensive which was again seen for the Azzurri in the European Championships in which they reached the final before Prandelli's side were beaten 4-0 by Vicente Del Bosque's Spain.