Alan Smith: Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti still searching for side's best shape

15 August 2009 23:25
As the Italian said himself, the new system, a diamond shape in midfield behind two strikers, isn't "natural" just yet. It needs a bit of practice just like anything else. [LNB]Saturday's opener against Hull City confirmed that notion. There were times when the team lacked natural width, when it became too congested through the middle where Phil Brown had made sure he wasn't going to get outnumbered. The tactics certainly made life more difficult for Frank Lampard at the point of the diamond. With Hull's anchorman, Seyi Olofinjana, never far away, Lampard sometimes found there was nowhere to go. [LNB] Related ArticlesWin Burnley v United ticketsDrogba double breaks Hull resistanceDrogba admits to lucky winner'Chelsea to bid £42m for Aguero'Premier League transfersSport on televisionOnly when Didier Drogba or Nicolas Anelka made a run down the channel did gaps open up for Lampard to fill. That's a vital part of this system - the two centre forwards vacating the space by unselfishly doing a job for the team. [LNB]There's no reason at all why it can't work. Lampard certainly has the intelligence to make a subtle adjustment to his game. The only thing the England man won't be able to do so much is fire off his trademark diagonal passes towards Drogba from deep. Others will have to assume that duty in the months ahead. [LNB]Mind you, it isn't all together clear yet who will be playing where. I say this because Ancelotti withdrew John Obi Mikel at halftime, and asked Michael Essien to perform the holding role instead. [LNB]This might turn in to a more regular thing because, although he has just been awarded a new long-term contract, it is difficult to see what Mikel actually contributes. His passing isn't great, he doesn't get forward and his defensive instincts can't compare with someone like Claude Makelele. Mikel, in fact, tends to slow things down. He is a little too laboured with the ball at his feet. [LNB]Essien is different, offering much more dynamism from that deep position while still being able to get forward when he chooses. In any case, Joe Cole, when fit, could easily fill the space on the fright Essien initially occupied yesterday. [LNB]As for the strikers, I thought Drogba and Anelka looked more of a partnership than ever before. They linked up dangerously several times, playing as a team rather than two individuals. Of the two though Anelka was the quieter Ancelotti will want to see the Frenchman get involved a bit more. [LNB]He will also want to see his fullbacks working those flanks to supply the width otherwise missing. Not too often though. As a naturally cautious Italian, he'll be happy if the team stays nice and compact. [LNB]But he will have learned a bit more about his players yesterday. For a new manager unfamiliar with the Premier League, it takes longer than six weeks of pre-season to work everything out. [LNB] 

Source: Telegraph