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While there are those dangling at the loose end of the Premier League table, struggling to put a team of European quality together, Jose Mourinho is spoiled for midfield choice at Stamford Bridge.
This summer was another period of recruitment for the West Londoners, who brought in a heavy round of play-making talent. It’s only right that this should be the case, too, considering Chelsea have been one of the numerous European giants to have relied greatly on a variation of the 4-5-1 formation in recent seasons—the ever-popular 4-2-3-1.
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Key Pass comparison between Lampard, Mikel and Ramires
Starting in the engine room, Frank Lampard and Ramires have been Mourinho’s go-to midfield hub this season, the former having started nine of the 11 games thus far while the latter is yet to miss a minute of the Premier League season.
While being the more withdrawn of Mourinho’s midfielders, the pair have crafted a respectable 28 scoring opportunities between them, Eden Hazard standing above all others with 22 of his own.
John Obi Mikel 2012/2013 Performance Score
The problem with John Obi Mikel, one of the most likely candidates to break up the current midfield pairing, is that he doesn’t have this same versatility in attack. While, as we can see, Lampard and Ramires are already in the double digits for chances created this campaign, the Nigerian international could only muster seven chances created in the entirety of last season.
Mikel average defensive actions stat
Primarily a defensive anchor, one might like to think that Mikel’s biggest contributions, therefore, involve plugging the midfield and offers a lot in protecting his back four. And yet, the 26-year-old is only averaging two defensive actions per game this season, a tally that’s either matched or bested by Lampard and Ramires. In short, Mikel isn’t the versatile presence a club of Chelsea’s calibre need at the core of their team, ruling him out of the running.
Essien pass accuracy stat
One face it’s been surprising not to see more of this term is Michael Essien, whom many thought would play a big part of Mourinho’s team upon the two being reunited in West London. However, the Ghanaian international is yet to play even a Premier League minute in 2013/14, but could still be a useful outlet considering his 88% passing accuracy at Real Madrid last season matched that of Luka Modric.
Juan Mata key passes vs Cardiff
So, the Blues’ boss appears to have got it right in the middle, but it’s the creative three in behind the striker that’s been the centre of real controversy this season. One particular aspect of which has been Juan Mata’s omission from the regular starting line-up.
Featuring in just seven Premier League games this season, the Spaniard is still yet to play a full 90 minutes and yet lies second in the club’s rankings for chances created, his tally of 15 second only to Eden Hazard.
Eden Hazard Heat Map vs West Brom
By rights, it should be this supplemental pair who start on either side of Chelsea’s flanks, by far Mourinho’s most prolific playmakers. Granted, the summer signing of Andre Schürrle and Willian have their bit to offer out wide, but it was these two that kept the club afloat in their darker periods last season and should be given the chance to do so again.
Oscar Goals Scored stat
Oscar has been the gem in Mourinho’s midfield ranks this season and it appears to be the Brazilian whom the manager believes should become the crux of his side in future, perhaps contributing to Mata’s lack of action lately.
The 22-year-old sits level with Hazard as his side’s top scorer and continues to play the trequartista-esque role well, lurking behind the central striker and pouncing when needed.
It’s for this reason that playing without a striker could be the strategy that works best for Mourinho in future.
The idea, made famous by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona and the Spanish national team, has recently been adopted by the likes of West Ham, who made a 4-3-3 with no recognised forward work in their favour in their 3 – 0 away victory over Spurs in October.Shou
With Samuel Eto’o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba not exactly firing on all cylinders, it’s a risk that could be worth taking for Mourinho, who is undoubtedly yet to see the best from a side which should be challenging for Europe’s top honours, thanks largely to the quality of their midfield.
