Tactics dossier: Further Fabregas?

Although still early in season, it wouldn't be premature to think that the Premier League title could be heading to Stamford Bridge. Having made two blockbuster signings in Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, Mourinho has added a new dimension to a already strong Chelsea side. Suggestions are rife that this squad could replicate the feats of Arsenal's "Invincibles" with the side yet to lose in the league however, are not impenetrable.

Chelsea do concede goals, having let in eleven in thirteen games. Defensively, Chelsea look sound with arguably one of the best keepers in Europe between the sticks in Thibaut Courtios which has even seen the number one of last decade Petr Cech relegated to the bench. Mourinho's first choice back four of Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry and Cesar Azpilicueta are well structured and hard to break down too. 

So how is it Chelsea still concede goals? In Mourinho's 4-2-3-1 formation, the Portuguese manager demands every player works hard during defensive passages of play, with everyone tracking a man and their runs. It is a philosophy that is well drilled and organised throughout the team however, it does not suit certain players.  

Every player is required to contribute to defensive moves

Nemanja Matic in front of the back four in the midfield two next to Fabregas has been a unsung hero, often winning the ball and breaking down play only to lay it off to the more creative team mates who make the headlines. It is the Serbian who during attacking moves sits in and allows his more creative midfield partner Fabregas to advance forward and join the attack. 

Arguably Chelsea's best player this year after Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas has been a real hit with the Blues. His vision and pin point passing often carves open defences and it is unlikely Costa would have so many goals if it was not for Fabregas feeding him. In thirteen Premier League games Fabregas has 10 assists, a record at this point in the season and is well on his way to breaking Thierry Henry's record of twenty assists in one season.   

However, despite his stand out performances it is become clear that Cesc Fabregas is defensively frail. During counter attacks Fabregas is often out of position, more attracted to the ball rather than picking up his man. It seems as if he lacks the stamina and positional sense that Matic has to consistently track and mark men when Chelsea don't have the ball. Fabregas sitting in front of the defence when Chelsea are defending seems to be the Achilles heel in a team that lacks any real weakness.  

Fabregas has two goals to his name for Chelsea

At Anfield, Emre Can twice broke through midfield and eventually punished Chelsea scoring the opener for Liverool, with Fabregas at fault as he let the German drive through midfield. In the Blues' most recent fixture away at Sunderland, towards the end of the match Sunderland were breaking through midfield as Fabregas trailed behind. There is no way the returning Mourinho could ever drop a player of Fabregas' calibre, so what would be a remedy to the situation? 

Could swapping Oscar with Fabregas, putting the Spaniard in the number 10 position behind the striker help the situation? Oscar looks more suited to the central midfield role than Fabregas defensively as his work rate is one of the best in the side and even for a number 10, the Brazilian is a top tackler with his terrier-like hustling of opposition players. In 2012-2013, he was Chelsea's 3rd top tackler and won more than his attacking team-mates combined. 

It was that season, when Rafa Benitez was briefly in charge the rumours were that on the training ground the now Napoli manager was trying to mould Oscar into a central midfielder, making the Brazilian international pay close attention to Frank Lampard. There is no doubting that Oscar has the capability to play in the central role as he has all the necessary skills to succeed there.  

Fabregas represented Spain at the world cup this year

Playing Fabregas further forward and closer to Diego Costa could also improve the chemistry these two have shown in the early season. Fabregas would be allowed to get space and feed Costa and wingers like Eden Hazard, Willian and Andre Schurrle with the sort of through balls their pace thrives on. Although the ex-Barcelona man will still have defensive duties, there would be another line of defensive before an opposition attacking move reached the likes of Terry and Cahill. 

However, in doing so there are a number of cons. Moving Fabregas further forward could see the side lack a player that can dictate the play in the middle of the park. Not only that, but by moving him in the number 10 role it would restrict him to playing shorter more intricate passes rather than the long and switching balls that have had such success this year.  

Oscar has been in fine form this year for Chelsea

Fabregas' best quality is no doubt his range of passing and to utilise this to it's fullest extent he would be best played in the central midfield role next to Matic. However, this has been proven to be penetrable. It could also be argued that Oscar, a player who arrived from Internacional as a winger, is more suited to the number 10 role than Fabregas as he is better with the ball at his feet. 

It truly is a conundrum tactically. Does Mourinho sacrifice his star midfield man for defensive reassurance and play him further forward, swapping him for a player that although untested competitively in the central midfield role has the necessary skills to succeed? It is food for thought for Blues fans!    

Wheelchair for Wilshere

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been ruled out for 3 months following ankle surgery on a injury he picked up in the Gunners' clash with Manchester United. The setback could not come at a worse time for Wilshere, a man who was enjoying a purple patch of form for club and country.

However, the physio room has become a home away from home for the twenty-two year old who during his short career since making his debut in 2008 has spent a hundred and ninety weeks on the treatment table.

Almost every time Wilshere goes down in a heap on the floor fans have the immediate reaction that the fragile ankles of the midfielder may once again have buckled.  Although clearly a top English talent, many wonder do the consistent injuries pose a risk to the potential Wilshere has?

Wilshere has one goal in nine this Premier League campaign

The England international is also a player a player that is either under criticism or enjoying a streak of hot form. At the start of the season, Wilshere was public enemy number one following pictures of him smoking (not the first time either) on holiday leaving many doubting Wilshere was truly committed to his profession and even had some suggesting his attitude would hold him back from unlocking his true potential.

A slow start in terms of personal performance had many believing Wilshere was never going to reach the heights people had expected and even saw icon Paul Scholes deliver a venomous verdict. Scholes said:  "Jack Wilshere, he came on the scene and what a top player he looked, but he’s never really gone on. He needs people like Vieira to take him to the next level. His development, he doesn’t look any better now than he did at 17." 

However, it was not long before he had many of critics eating their own words as he put in stellar performances for England and Arsenal. Wilshere is a fine example of how fickle the footballing world can be and it was not long before Scholes took back his statement and suggested Wilshere was currently England's best player and based on those performances was a fair analysis.   

That infamous picture

The Arsenal academy product is a player more than capable of playing intricate and beautiful short passing but also possess the rugged drive to dribble the ball at players and get stuck in defensively. If injuries were to hinder his career progressing it would be a huge blow to the Gunners' faithful who have watched Wilshere develop from a promising teen into a mature first team player. 

A fan favourite, Wilshere will be looking to get off the treatment table as soon as possible and get right back to playing. If history is doomed to repeat itself, Wilshere will return too soon and pick up another frustrating injury that could further set him back. The twenty-two year old will need time to get back into the swing of things following surgery and many will be hoping that after this setback Wilshere will begin to put his plague of injuries behind him. Should it be Jack Wilshere or Jack Wheelchair? Only time will tell! 

The Danny Debate

"He was not a line-up player; he was more substitute than line-up." This was Louis Van Gaal's critical summary of Danny Welbeck's previous squad status at Manchester United. Danny Welbeck joined rivals Arsenal in the summer for a fee of £16m and sparked a major debate in England. Was Van Gaal spot on with his views or was selling a mistake?

Van Gaal has opted to spend big in an attempt to get instant success, something that is much needed following the previous season of disappointment. In doing so, Van Gaal saw it necessary to sell Welbeck and gamble on the fitness of hired gun Radamel Falcao.  

A player with unquestionable ability following his years in Europe tormenting defences, the Columbian has fitness doubts following a serious knee injury in January that robbed him of a world cup campaign and huge wage demands following his arrival from billionaire backed Monaco, who were recently ordered to pay £50m in an attempt to coincide with French tax laws and remain in Ligue 1. 

But, to accommodate such a house hold name, Manchester United found themselves with more strikers than sense, with Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie, Jamie Wilson and soon loaned Javier Hernandez all vying for a spot. Welbeck was deemed the lesser of the bunch and was sufficiently sacrificed. Van Gaal's policy to develop youth has seen Jamie Wilson feature in the side this year.

A Welbeck hatrick sunk Galatasaray in the UCL 

The sale brought a mixed reaction. Many fans questioned why the club had put in so much effort to coach and create a player of Welbeck's quality if they are to ultimately sell them to aid rivals in what many pundits believed was a cut-price fee. Fans had watched the Englishman develop from a clumsy, gangly and frustrating forward into a striker that was considered a important player to Sir Alex Ferguson and a fully fledged international. 

It makes you wonder, would Sir Alex Ferguson have sold Danny Welbeck? The answer is no. In charge for 25 years, Ferguson avoided selling big stars to rivals and placed huge faith in the Manchester United academy, something that seems to be lost a little with Van Gaal's desperation for a silverware remedy. Furthermore, it makes you wonder if assistant manager Ryan Giggs supported the Dutch manager''s decision having witnessed Welbeck play since he was a junior and develop into a team mate. 

There was a reason Welbeck featured often under Van Gaal's Scottish predecessors David Moyes and Sir Alex Ferguson. He would work hard  for the team, even if goals didn't always come you could count on Welbeck to give his all, hassle defenders on the ball and chase after loose balls. He would make runs that created space for others and was versatile also, able to adapt to the wings and even behind the striker.  Under Moyes, you could see Welbeck's frustration playing out wide but, he would often do a job out wide even if it wasn't spectacular. Moyes favoured him out wide but it brought little success moving a striker to the wing.   

The Dutchman waved goodbye to Welbeck this summer

There is no doubting Welbeck needs to add more goals to his game and was a common theme at Old Trafford. He did not score enough for a striker of Manchester United's quality and would often squander chances players like Van Persie and Rooney thrived on. But, he would more than often feature in the big games as managers knew he would work hard and put in a solid performance even if he didn't hit the back of the net.  

A rival of Manchester United and no doubt a serious contender that the Red Devil's will need to be wary of in the battle for a champion's league spot, selling to Arsenal aided the enemy in the sale. Desperate for a natural central striker with just Oliver Giroud and Yaya Sanago the only two, it looked as if the conservative Arsene Wenger was content to head into the season with a paper thing forward line.  

However, the Gunners left it to the last minute to secure the deal on deadline day. If Manchester United had not sold, Arsenal would have been seriously fragile and most likely in big trouble as it was not long until Giroud succumbed to injury. The sale in that sense, was a mistake as they had given a huge boost to the London based club. If Van Gaal was desperate to sell, he should have looked abroad for suitors or sold to a club that would not be threat to Manchester United.  

Welbeck has developed into a international regular in recent years

However, Welbeck has not had the impact he would have wanted at Arsenal in the early days at his new side, much to the annoyance of Arsenal fans. Just two goals and in nine appearances in the Premier League, Welbeck has not hit the back of net as many times as people thought he would now he was playing in his favoured central striker role and getting regular game time.  

Those who support Van Gaal's sale point to the £16m man's lack of goals, but it would be premature to write off Welbeck as a flop at his point. Still only 23, Welbeck can still produce for Arsenal for some time and his form for England of late suggests he could become the goal scorer he has not yet been at top flight level. 

The question remains unanswered still and only time will tell if Louis Van Gaal's decision was a stroke of genius or a mindless sale to a rival. Will Manchester United be left red faced over the transfer or is Welbeck not gunner deliver? 

Magnificent Marcelo

Real Madrid's Brazilian left back Marcelo is a man in form. Much like Real Madrid at the moment, Marcelo is flying high on form and has been one of the stand out players of Los Blanco's sensational early season goal frenzy. Marcelo has registered 5 assists in 13 La LIga and Champions League games.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti's transfer policy this summer has been questioned by many after the club sold key members of squad such as Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria to accommodate their summer blockbuster signing James Rodriguez who was signed off of the back of fantastic personal world cup again.

However, so far it is the Italian who has had the last laugh over his sceptics as Real Madrid sit top of the table and have scored 37 goals in 10 games, with much credit going to none other than a certain Cristano Ronaldo who has chalked up 17 goals in La Liga.  

Competitive and robust, Marcelo is enjoying a purple patch of form

Although it is likes of Ronaldo who grab the headlines for Real Madrid, Marcelo's contribution from the left flank can often go unnoticed among a sea of global stars. His industrial work at full back sees him get up and down the pitch for the full ninety and more often of not involved in Real Madrid's attacking moves. Unafraid to take on defenders either, Marcelo can be a dangerously under rated dribbler with the ball with his quick feet and acceleration.

Marcelo's seemingly telepathic understanding with Karim Benzema means that the little Brazilian often delivers drilled crosses that are a real handful for defenders but, are exactly what strikers like Benzema thrive on. Five assists is nothing to be sniffed at from full back and credit to the left back who adds to the attack and creates problems for teams out wide. Marcelo's chemistry with Ronaldo down the left creates havoc for defences as they play clever give and go's or Marcelo creates space for Ronaldo by acting as a over lapping full back.

Down the left flank, these two have a real understanding

Of course,  the 26 year old does not come without his obvious weaknesses, being a attack minded full back defending often comes Marcelo's second priority. He can also be impatient and rash in the challenge rather than stand a attacker up, giving a way silly fouls trying to win the ball when it is not always necessary to do so. Marcelo has a tendency to pick up cautions but, domestically has only picked up just the one this season.

Marcelo has performed when it has mattered too, delivering man of the match performances in big games such as the El Clasico and their latest  Champions League tie with Liverpool. Marcelo will be looking to continue his run of form as will Real Madrid as they look to dethrone local rivals Atletico Madrid as La Liga champions. Marcelo is little in stature but big in form right now!

Clyneing for a cap

Nathaniel Clyne believes he is good enough to feature in the England side for the future European qualifier against Slovenia and the friendly tie with Scotland. Ever- present in Ronald Koeman;s impressive Southampton side, Clyne well and truly deserves his place in the national set-up. England's right back position is a place of uncertainty, lacking a player to lay claim to the spot.

Clyne said in a recent interview: "It's always good to play for your country, if you play well then you get picked up. I think I've got the ability to play for my country, definitely. I'm playing with lots of confidence."

England manager Roy Hodgson has experimented with a number of right backs including Glen Johnson, Calum Chambers, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and John Stones during his reign. Clyne's form in domestic games has been one of steady rise following his move to St Mary's from Crystal Palace. Yet another player from Southampton looks set to get capped for England following the additions of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez last year and recently Arsenal's Chambers, a Southampton youth product.

Clyne, like Southampton, has been in great form

With more squad players joining the England national side, it speaks volumes for Southampton. A club that has gone strength to strength since arriving in the league, Southampton could well challenge for a place in Europe if early season form is to believed. Clyne won't be the last player to get called up either, as Jay Ward-Prowse has been ear marked as a future England star amongst the other talents in their notorious youth system.

Koeman's blistering start to the Premier League has proved many sceptics wrong after the fire sale of stars such as Dejan Lovren, Lallana and Lambert leaving for Liverpool, Chambers & Luke Shaw to Arsenal and Manchester United respectively and even saw stars like Morgan Schnerdlein try to jump ship. However, Southampton spent the money raised in a savvy business fashion, using Koeman's expansive knowledge of the Dutch Eredivisie to import top talent while maintaining the home grown philosophy and dipping into the talent pool of the youth system.

Koeman's start sees Southampton 2nd after 10 games

Graziano Pelle, a player Koeman previously worked with at Feyenoord, has been a real hit and even earned him a call up to the Italian national side. Dusan Tadic and Sadio Mane have also settled right into the south coast's side and look like two class captures.

Nathaniel Clyne could well nail a regular spot in the England side by replicating the solid performances he has produced for Southampton. The national side need to start finding first choice players in positions during this time of transition after the expected retirements of players post- world cup. Clyne is a player who could feature for years to come and has the talent to be a threat going forward but also defensively sound. Can Clyne claim a spot?

Alexandre on Song

It would be wrong to suggest that when West Ham announced the loan signing of Alexandre Song from Barcelona that a few eyebrows were not raised. Many were questioning how manager Sam Allardyce could manage to pull off such a deal and if he was still Premier League standard having spent a large part of his Barcelona experience on the bench. Others were curious about whether or not such a loan would damage the club's financial infrastructure with the Hammers paying a percentage of his £75,000 a week wage.

However, the Cameroon international's performances so far this season have turned all sceptics into believers. West Ham currently sit in 4th position in the Premier League and it is Song who has been at the corner stone of that success. Although it is often the likes of Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho grabbing the headlines, it is Song who is dictating the play in the middle of the park.

Yet to register a assist or a goal, the majority of West Ham's play seems to flow through the former Arsenal midfielder. Strong, combative and with a stocky build suited to a defensive midfielder, Song is every bit as good going forward as he is tracking back. Despite coming through the Bastia youth ranks as a defensive midfielder, Song's game evolved under Arsene Wenger into a more rounded midfielder, with former Cameroon coach Javier Clemente stating: "He is a much better player in attack than he is defensively."  

Song has been one of many in form West Ham players

It was in his and Robin Van Persie's final season at the Emirates that the two created a incredible understanding, with Song finishing the season on 11 assists and earning a transfer to Barcelona. One observation of that notable personal season Song had, going forward meant he would sometimes forget his defensive duties. Although his time at the Nou Camp did not quite work out, Song has come back just as strong it seems and by the looks of things, West Ham have pulled off a real coup getting him in on loan.

The project Allardyce has in mind is something that Song himself admitted tempted him into turning down the likes of Napoli and Galatasary. Song said upon arrival: “West Ham is looking to be a very, very big club in the future. The club has a great project and it is a very big project with very big ambition. I think it’s great for the fans that the club wants to be one of the biggest in England. That’s why I chose to come here." 

If Allardyce can work the same sort of magic he used to lure Song to Upton Park in the first place to secure a permanent transfer, then the club will seriously be making a statement about their future intent. Signing a talent such as Song's will speak volumes for the club and with the clever business they have completed over the summer, could be in contention for a Europa League spot. Song does have his weaknesses, having demonstrated poor discipline at the World Cup as he elbowed an opposition player and saw red and can sometimes forget his defensive duties if he is played in a more attacking central midfield role.  

A rare and tranquil photo of Allardyce 

However, with the way Song has played so far, other big clubs may become interested for a player that is more than likely to leave Barcelona at the end of his loan spell. It is no secret that Arsenal are lacking a strong and combative central midfielder and a return to the Emirates would be more than appealing for Song. Signing the midfielder would be exactly what the Gunners so desperately need and fans cry out for.   

Even if Song being a West Ham player is for just the one season, West Ham fans still have a lot to look forward to under Allardyce who seems to finally have cracked the winning formula in his side following a difficult start to his reign. West Ham are on song for a exciting season, if you will pardon the pun...

No Big Mac for Gignac

“Un Big Mac, pour Gignac" - a chant that would so often echo from rival fans of Marseille to taunt the heavy set Andre Pierre Gignac. Translated as "a Big Mac for Gignac," the penny seems to have finally dropped for the Frenchman, who has silenced those who mocked him with his red hot form this season. Nine goals in as many games is nothing to be sniffed at, so much so has seen him earn a recall back to the French national side after  a 4 year absence from the starting line up.  

So what has sparked such form from a striker that would be described as a 13 goal-a-season striker based on previous seasons? Many suggest it is the work of the "Bielsa effect." Marcelo Bielsa's appointment as manager has seen him implement a strict regime that has inspired Gignac to be the best that he can be. Gignac looks in good shape this year too, a player who has previously battled problems with his weight.  

Gignac has been lethal this season

Bielsa's attack minded approach also favours not only the striker's type of play, but also utilises the whole team in the best way possible. Marseille currently sit top of the table, with Bielsa's modern 4-2-3-1 formation meaning Gignac plays in his favoured role as the lone striker, who acts as a target man and poacher in the box. Bielsa is a strict in his management, and is rumoured to never laugh at times of work and despite there being a mismatch in character between Bielsa and the self confessed joker Gignac, so far evidence suggests it is a match made in heaven. 

The team looks for Gignac to hold the ball up, drawing the creative likes of Dimitri Payet, Florian Thauvin and Andre Ayew into the game, who themselves have also been impressive this season. The creativity between these three means Gignac will get the service he requires to score and he has done just that.  

Gignac's weight has been a focus point in French media

His recall to the national team is a testimony to how well he has played under Bielsa and even capped off his return to the national side with a goal from the spot against Armenia. If Gignac continues his goal scoring streak in his native France it may not be long before other clubs start to consider Gignac who was once reported to be a Tottenham target.  

Marseille's form this year has been nothing short of spectacular and at the fore front of the early success is Gignac. It seems Ligue 1 may have a new title contender following the rejuvenation that has gone on under Bielsa. However, it is still early days in the campaign and if Marseille are to overthrow rivals PSG for the domestic crown, Gignac will need to carry on his exploits. Looks like Gignac will be sticking to the salads for sometime!