Will they continue to lead Chelsea’s forward line? (Picture: chickendinner.co.uk)
FIRST there was the debate on whether Nicolas Anelka can play upfront with Didier Drogba.
Since Guus Hiddink has taken over at Stamford Bridge, he seems to favour the Ivorian as the sole striker, bringing on Anelka in the second half when the chips are down or as a replacement for the burly Chelsea star.
Now, we read that Anelka has chosen to stay and play second fiddle to Drogba. Do remember though that there should be a new sheriff at the Bridge next season.
Would it be Anelka and Drogba, or yet again one of them as a solitary striker in Chelsea’s attack? Or would you expect someone new, young and exciting and who would that be? Do remember there is still Salomon Kalou and Andriy Shevchenko – if he does not retire or go to Japan or the MLS – on the roster as well as young Franco Di Santo.
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I do believe that both of them do not play well together but playing either 1 of them at a time in a 4-2-3-1 formation can reap its rewards. Drogba is tall and strong where as Anelka is fast and skillful. I would settle with drogba playing the first half and introduce Anelka in the 2nd half when the opp defence gets tired. By if given a choice, I would prefer Anelka as he is fast, skillful and quiet, he has more sportsmanship then Drogba too. Should the defenders they are playing against are too physical, Drogba would be good. A lone striker should be the case in most games unless they are playing against a weak team where they can experiment with a 4-4-2 but so far they lack the chemistry to play together.
At times some strikers do their best when they are alone. Both are good strikers who can play as a lone striker which would do well for their team.
Tan Keen Chung
Unemployed 27 male
Liverpool Fan
Comment by KC — May 13, 2009 @ 1:14 am
As talented both strikers are, they are aging and Chelsea would be wise to shore up their attacking options. No fan will be thrilled when you only have Di Santo or Kalou to bring off the bench when the chips are down.
I wouldn’t hesitate to let Drogba go, but Chelsea would have to find adequate replacements first.
Bring in someone like Samuel Eto to partner Anelka in attack probably? Convert to a 4-3-1-2 with Lampard playing behind the 2 strikers?
I would hope the additions to lower the average age of the aging Chelsea squad.
Comment by Dennis Tan — May 13, 2009 @ 11:11 am
Jose Mourinho used it. Avram Grant followed. Even Scolari. Now under Hiddink the 4-3-3 or also can be seen as 4-5-1 formation is the trademark of Chelsea.
I prefer to see Drogba as the main striker with Malouda and Kalou flanking him. Anelka should be on the bench where he belongs. I was wrong to say Anelka can’t score from right-wing when he did beautifully against Arsenal last weekend.
4-3-3 is better than 4-4-2 for Chelsea. In a 4-4-2 formation, it’s usually 4 central midfielders with no wingers which limit Chelsea’s play. In a 4-3-3 formation, wingers like Malouda and Kalou can provide flank play for Chelsea.
The best front 3 for Chelsea in my opinion is Joe Cole on the left, Drogba centre and Kalou on the right. Yes, Joe Cole. I expect Joe Cole to put Malouda on the bench once he is fit.
What I worry is who will take over from Guus Hiddink and if Roman would one day sell the club.
Qyaerus-Syahrein, 27, student, Chelsea fan
Comment by Alex Hart — May 13, 2009 @ 1:22 pm
Chelsea will need to scout for new and younger players in the next transfer window. While the current squad is filled with experienced and skillful players, most of them are on the wrong side of 30. It is especially at the frontline that requires more attention.
Drogba and Anelka are both in their thirties. There is no doubt that they are still good and effective strikers, but they are nearing the end of their peak period. Stamina wise they may not be able to cope with the whole season especially since Chelsea favours a lone striker formation. The substitutes for the duo are of a totally different league. In Kalou and Di Santo, the Blues have two promising youngsters. However, their performance has yet to leave up to expectations as they falter on the big stages. Shevchenko, on the other hand, is way past his best. I do not think he will remain at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea is not really known to be a fan of youth development; therefore they probably need to scout for a world class striker who is around 26 years of age and probably at his peak. Of course, if they can get a talent like Rooney who is excelling at the age of 23 then all the better, but chances are low. With a new forward, they can experiment with new pairings and formations.
In any case, within the current squad, Drogba will continue to spearhead the attack with two supporting strikers. Joe Cole is a definite choice with probably Kalou. Anelka and Malouda will be on the bench. After all, this formation has proved to be effective for the Blues. They can stick with it at the moment, but may need to make changes in future, depending on the new players that join the ranks.
Comment by Suen Chun Lung — May 13, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
I believe that Drogba will be sold this summer while Anelka will be kept. That is not to say the Ivorian is inferior than the Frenchman. On the contrary, the former is way better than the former on his day. So why would Chelsea want to sell their star striker?
Although Drogba has shown glimpses of what he can in recent months, it is fair to say that the Drogba today is no longer the Drogba of a couple of years back when he was a beast of a striker. His disciplinary problems has made him an unpopular player if he isn’t already and his heart seems to have already gone the day “The Special One” departed. All these factors make him no longer an indispensable member of the squad.
What does Anelka has in common with Amir Zaki, Hull City and Aston Villa? They tend to do things half-way! Zaki had a great start to his Wigan career before going downhill, Hull were the underdogs everyone loves until Phil Brown decided to humiliate his players openly and Villa were even touted as a possible contender for the title until a few months ago.
Anelka was so good in the first few months that he seemed sure-in for the golden boot and some Player of the year awards. Now, not only have him been overtaken in the scoring chart by Ronaldo, his future has also been questioned. He has moved clubs throughout his career but I feel that he really wants to settle down in West London now. He seems to have accepted the fact that he is longer the automatic first choice anymore. It is this quality that I feel he will be an invaluable member of the squad.
Chelsea should stick to the traditional 4-4-2 instead of the 4-3-3. Lampard and Essien will be in the centre, with Joe Cole and Malouda on the flanks. Chelsea need at least 4 strkers to compete on all fronts and Anelka is one of them. Chelsea should sell Drogba, Sheva and Di Santo to get the money to spend on others.
Aguero, Villa, Forlan, Eto’o, Huntelaar, Luis Fabiano, Floccari, Milito, Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet, Pandev, Lavezzi, Gomez, Dzeko, Grafiti, Luis Suarez, Ari, Janko, Santa Cruz, Robinho, Savidan, Gomis, Erding, Progrebnyak……take your pick!
My choice? Villa, Santa Cruz and Lavezzi. I’ve made my choice, now it’s yours, Roman……
Comment by Loh Shengli, 24, Man United — May 13, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
Chelsea should try to accomadate both strikers on the pitch simultaneously.
In 4-3-3 or 4-5-1, both strikers are isolated and unable to work together.
But pair them together in 4-4-2 and they combine to score goals.
This has been proven every time.
Against Watford the pair combined for a Anelka hat-trick. Against Arsenal last year a brace from Drogba.
Against Fulham, goals were scored in the 1st ten minutes of the game. Hence they should use the pair.
Comment by Dinesh Bora — May 14, 2009 @ 10:39 am