It has been a while since my last post, but watching the “Kings of Flair” in the Copa America tournament right now has really got me relishing the fact that I’m going to get to watch Chelsea’s new signings this season.
Like a few other football pundits, I believe that the spark a talented, creative, pacey winger can bring to a side cannot be underrated. The ability to really stretch a team by running up and down the lines and put in great crosses that allow the striker to score is essential to success. Furthermore, watching a winger like Kaka, Ronaldinho, C. Ronaldo, Robben, or any of the other such players is always a delight. A good winger plays the type of football you can’t help but enjoy.
We’ve just signed Malouda, who scored on his debut and had an assist (we can only hope he keeps up that type of incredible form). With the likes of him, Robben, Shaun Wright-Phillips, and Joe Cole (who has been moving more towards a role in the center of midfield but still looks proficient on the wings) terrorizing the flanks, I couldn’t be any more excited. Salomon Kalou, who I feel will have a solid season this year, has been employed mostly on the outskirts of Jose’s 4-3-3. But that shouldn’t keep him from remaining a solid backup striker/winger. Who knows, he may even have a breakout season and earn a spot alongside Drogba.
Furthermore, Ashley Cole , if he can remain healthy for the season, is the perfect left-fullback for this type of wide squad. Let’s also hope that we can get ahold of Daniel Alves to play at right-fullback. He’s commonly referred to as a right-sided Roberto Carlos. This really would be a perfect complement to Cole/SWP/Robben or whoever plays in front of him on the right. If we don’t manage to pick him up, which I find very unlikely, Paulo Ferreira is still a soild right-back and I wouldn’t mind having him start.
Since Mourinho has been charged with not only winning trophies this year, but also playing an eye-pleasing, attacking style of football, this is the line-up I would start with, assuming everyone is healthy.
———————————–
——Drogba–Shevchenko——
————Lampard————–
Malouda——————Robben
————-Mikel—————-
A. Cole–Terry–Carvalho–Alves
————-Cech—————–
As obnoxious as it is to go ahead and include Alves in the squad, all the speculation that’s reached my ears has affirmed the surety that he will be joining us before the window shuts. I would also start Lampard over Ballack, who has looked perpetually lethargic and apathetic. Mikel over Makelele is an obvious choice: the former looks to be one of the premier league’s upcoming stars, while the latter is a loyal but ageing shadow of his deliberately assertive self.
The wingers I’ve selected, Robben and Malouda, are my favorites. Joe Cole is also one of my favorite players and I would cycle him in very frequently. With so much ability Mourinho really can’t go wrong.
****Note: As I type this, Daniel Alves just put in a fine finish for his country, securing Brazil’s 3-0 lead in the Copa America final. Fantastic!
