3 things Chelsea fans can expect if Maurizio Sarri takes charge

The banker-turned-manager has coached his sides to play breath-taking football.
The banker-turned-manager has coached his sides to play breath-taking football

#2 Back to 4-4-2 or 4-3-3

Hazard and Willian will look to create more magic.
Hazard and Willian will look to create more magic.

Sarri's preferred formation of 4-3-3 paid rich dividends for Napoli, as it allowed for a fluid front three with two full-backs constantly making runs down the flank, stretching opposition defences paper-thin, while keeping adequate defensive cover.

At Napoli, Insigne, Hamsik and Mertens combined brilliantly up front with Ghoulam and Hysaj providing width to the attack. Similarly, at Chelsea, Sarri will have Hazard and Willian at his disposal, and possibly even Lewandowski or Icardi.

Chelsea have more than decent quality with regards to their full-backs. Alonso and Moses have impressed one-and-all with their hard-work and consistent performances, while the talented Emerson and Zappacosta may improve greatly under the Italian coach.

A 4-3-3 formation would also suit an ageing Fabregas perfectly. What Cesc lacks in pace and physicality, he more than compensates with his passing and creativity. In a midfield three flanked by the dynamic Kante and Bakayoko, Fabregas could enjoy more time on the ball, orchestrating attacks from deep and setting up the likes of Hazard and Willian.

While pressing or defending, Sarri's teams switch quickly to a 4-4-2 with one of the wingers dropping into midfield to harry opposition players. At Chelsea, Willian's industry and tenacious nature would make him the perfect candidate for that role.

Even if the opposition do manage to bypass the aggressive press, another fluid change to 5-4-1 would ensure an overloaded defence with no space to play either in between the lines or out wide, making the team extremely difficult to break down.

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