2. HOLDING MIDFIELDERS AND TRICKY WINGERS
Chelsea haven’t lost any of the games against their rivals this season. Their worst return from the present top five is a loss away at Everton. And a recurring theme was seen in each of their games against Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool. Chelsea started with two holding midfielders in all of the above games; and he has been particularly keen on David Luiz for these games as he is primarily a defender who likes to dart forward irresponsibly.
And Nemanja Matic has been doing what Frank Lampard is failing to do: breaking plays and counter-attacking. Even at Real Madrid, Mourinho used to counter-attack at pace and the same goes at Chelsea. Although his current roster is a rung or two below Ronaldo and co, but they have shown how devastating they could be. Eden Hazard, Willian, Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah revel in quick transitions and hurting opponents on the break. That is one reason enough why he deemed the more eye-of-the-needle Juan Mata surplus to requirements.