Chelsea vs. Swansea City: Four things to watch for in the Blues' return
The international break is mercifully almost over and we can get back to watching Chelsea do football. Here are four things to look for as the Blues return to action against Swansea City.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 15: A general view outside the ground showing the Chelsea badge prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on August 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
All the excitement of transfer deadline day pretty well fizzled as football slide into the international break. After the longest two weeks ever, Chelsea returns to action away to Swansea City on Sunday.
The big questions are what Antonio Conte will do with his new signings: new lineups, same formation? Or will he get creative now that he has new options when the Blues take the pitch. Here are four things to look for when the sides take the pitch on Sunday.
David Luiz takes the pitch for Chelsea FC
David ‘Geezer’ Luiz is back at Chelsea. All eyes will be on him as he will make his way to the pitch for a second spell at Chelsea against Swansea.
Let’s face it. Luiz is not a Conte-type centre back like Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci. The Brazilian has the passion and the talent to be great defender. But, his problem is his inconsistency.
RELATED STORY: ANTONIO CONTE CONFIRMS DAVID LUIZ IS A DEFENDER
On some days he can be the best player on the pitch. On others, absolutely shambolic. Luiz needs consistency and rigidity in his defensive play, or this transfer will go down as an all-time farce.
He can play in forward positions, pick out long diagonal passes and or even score a few free kicks. But all that will be for nothing if he commits a defensive lapse leading to a Swansea City chance, or worse. His defensive aspects will be under scrutiny once again as he once again treads on thin ice in the Premier League.
Swansea are Premier League veterans and will prove to be a hard test for the Brazilian after several years comfortably in Ligue One.
COBHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 31: Marcos Alonso signs for Chelsea FC at Chelsea Training Ground on August 31, 2016 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
How will Marcos Alonso fare in his second EPL stint?
Like Luiz, Marcos Alonso will be playing in the Premier League for a second time. He did not impress in his earlier forays at Bolton Wanderers and a loan spell at Sunderland.
Fortunately for Chelsea, he comes back a changed player after his years at Fiorentina in Serie A. He established himself as a versatile player who can balance his attacking and defensive duties. His free kicks and crosses are just add-ons which will elevate his game.
He will easily slot in the left back position. Cesar Azpilicueta will at last be deployed in his preferred right back arrangement. With John Terry and Luiz filling up the central defensive partnership, Branislav Ivanovic may be facing the beginning of the end.
Although his performances have been better from last season, he has an uphill battle to prove that he belongs on the pitch and not on the bench.
WATFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20: Michy Batshuayi of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on August 20, 2016 in Watford, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Will Michy Batshuayi start?
Three games over and still no start for the Belgian. Despite energetic performances capped off by key goals and excellent post-game tweets, Batshuayi is still awaiting his first start at Chelsea. On all the available evidence, he deserves a start.
✊✊ (+ I owe him a penalty ????) https://t.co/bjnya91Xjx
— Michy Batshuayi (@mbatshuayi) September 6, 2016
On the other hand, Diego Costa has also been in fine form. Both strikers are coming back from the international break. Costa brings more momentum from his brace against Liechtenstein. Antonio Conte has a difficult choice, which may simply come down to who is more match fit.
Batshuayi can terrorise the defences with his agility and swiftness. The Swansea defence is not the strongest in the world. They already lost two games to Hull City and champions Leicester City.
This is the perfect time for the young Belgian to start a match and get some serious playing time on the pitch. He is deserves it more than ever. And if Antonio Conte wants to play both Batshuayi and Costa in a two-man striking pair, he’ll hear few complaints.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 15: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on August 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Will Antonio Conte tinker with the formation?
Does the David Luiz signing give Antonio Conte the green light to at last shift to a 3-man defence? Conte used such a system to great avail at Juventus and Italy, albeit with a much more solid core of defenders.
A Terry-Luiz-Cahill/Zouma backline will be a strong setup. The trio complements each other with a good balance of pace, agility and defensive rigidity. Kurt Zouma is training with the squad, but is unlikely to start soon.
Luiz is a better defender after his time at PSG but is still susceptible to errors. Meanwhile, John Terry and Gary Cahill are slow. Conte needs to wait for Zouma to gain match fitness before he can employ the 3-man defence.
Regardless of Zouma’s availability, Conte can tinker with the formation considering Chelsea’s recent form and new acquisitions.
The attackers are in fine fettle at the moment which gives Conte the confidence to change the formation and try new systems. Will we see the successful and famous 3-4-3 formation from the Italian this Sunday?
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