Graham Potter has led Chelsea this season, although the team has been in a bit of a slump. Potter’s club is currently mired in the Premier League’s middle of the pack despite the Blues’ significant investment in the transfer market.
The Chelsea board appears to have opted to explore elsewhere for a new manager and has recently been associated with Luciano Spalletti, the manager of SSC Napoli. If hired, Spalletti is probably going to bring his own tactical strategies and lineups, thus Chelsea might line up differently under the Italian.
What would Chelsea’s new appearance under Spalletti therefore be?
First off, Spalletti will probably choose a 4-3-3 configuration. During his time at Napoli, he has primarily used this formation, and it has been highly effective.
Reece James, Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Benjamin Chilwell would make up the defensive four, and N’Golo Kante, Enzo Fernandez, and Mateo Kovacic would make up the midfield three. Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, and Mason Mount might make up the front three, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a bench option.
Chelsea may have another option under Spalletti because of the Italian’s reputation for using wing-backs.
The wingbacks would offer a lot of width and an attacking threat from wide in a 3-5-2 formation. Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Benoit Badiashile would make up the back three, with Kante and Enzo Fernandez manning the midfield.
Christian Pulisic and Reece James could play as the wingbacks, and Mason Mount and Kai Havertz could play as the offensive midfielders. Joao Felix and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may work well together up front.
The 4-2-3-1 formation, which Spalletti also loves, may be another choice for Chelsea. Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, Thiago Silva, and Benjamin Chilwell would make up the back four, with Kante and Enzo Fernandez manning the midfield.
Mykhaylo Mudryk, Mason Mount, and Joao Felix might make up the attacking midfield trio, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang serving as the lone striker.
Whatever configuration Spalletti chooses, Chelsea will enter a new and exciting era under the Italian coach. With so many talented players on the Blues’ roster, Spalletti is likely to bring out the best in each player and aid in their success.