Chelsea are now set to miss out on the services of Diego Costa for another couple of games. The Spanish striker was handed a three-game ban for his part of the fracas against Arsenal while Gabriel had his red card rescinded, which hasn’t pleased Jose Mourinho one bit. Chelsea had just got their season, somewhat, back together after struggling at the start of the season but winning against your greatest rival is the best way to get back on track.
Chelsea though will have to deal playing a couple of games without Costa and that could be a blessing in disguise for some of the other players at Chelsea and for Mourinho as well. Costa hasn’t been the firebrand striker who was banging goals in for fun last season but has kept his toughness on the pitch, but Chelsea need to replace him at least for a couple of games.
How should Chelsea line up?
The back four cannot be changed, or at least the formation should not be touched. Chelsea have a couple of strikers in Loic Remy and Falcao but which player should start for the Blues? While many would suggest that Falcao should be given a chance to do well, his ability on the pitch just has not been good enough for the game in England, probably due to that injury he picked up at Monaco which even cost him a place in the World Cup.
Loic Remy though should be the player starting for Chelsea as the main striker, in the last game against Walsall, Remy did score once, but a player who was the star for Chelsea was new signing Kenedy. The Brazilian scored in the game and has been one of the players who seems to be playing in form for the Blues.
Chelsea should continue with the formation they played against Walsall, granted that their opposition was a League One club, but Chelsea were good value for the win and playing with three attackers and three midfielders worked for the Blues.
Chelsea should play with Matic and Ramires with Fabregas playing in a more advanced role. Remy should play down the middle as the central striker with Kenedy playing on either side, the final attacking position should be taken either by Eden Hazard or Willian but going by Hazard being the player of the season last year, it should be the Belgian starting for Chelsea. Maybe this lineup could help Chelsea get more wins on the board and get their Premier League campaign rolling along.