Our system at the moment, the 4-3-3, is an interesting one and one we seem to have persevered with in recent years. It can be very effective (as shown under Mourinho).

However, it can also lead to particularly slow build up for two reasons: One: Our attacker gets isolated between the oppositions two defensive banks of four (as Torres has been so often this season and has thus been presented with so few chances) and Two: Without the players to implement a fast counter attacking, incisive, cutting attack. It leads to slow sideways build up allowing the opposition to get back and defend with two banks of four.

This is why I feel an addition of any of Lucas, Hazard or Gotze would allow us to play with much more attacking thrust. A 4-2-3-1 would be used, similar to the 4-3-3, but with a CAM instead of a CM. The team would potentially be
Cech

Ivanovic Luiz/Cahill Terry Cole

Ramires/Meireles/Lampard Romeu/ Essien

Lucas/ Gotze/ Hazard Mata Sturridge

Torres

Mind, if it was Eden Hazard who we bought, it would be Sturridge on the right and Eden on the left.

Unfortunately it seems Mario Gotze has committed to Dortmund, for the time being, and Hazard is looking unlikely too, with the Lille board ruling out a winter switch.

However, Lucas is a player who could be available, with Sao Paulo not making the Libertadores, Lucas could be tempted to move to Europe, with 30 million rumored to be the asking price. Lucas is a player who can change the game in an instant and has the potential to be the best in the world. Already starting for Brazil, it would only be a slight gamble, and could turn out to be one of the best buys of the Abramovich era. http://footballspeak.com/post/2012/01/10/Analysis-of-Lucas-Moura.aspx

Mata for me is a great creative player, with great movement, similar to that of David Silva and would play very well as an Attacking Midfielder. Modric is not such a necessity with the creativity of Mata and our wingers. With Ramires' surging runs and the defensive tenacity and positioning of either Romeu and Essien (when fit). With Torres being given more ball and more space with the opposition defence being far more occupied in this formation.

This formation was tried in the second half of our 3-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford and that was arguably Torres' best half in a Chelsea shirt, he was able to make more runs through the middle and got into some dangerous positions, the goal was genius and the miss well.. let's call it good build up. The future is definitely with Torres. A future that will get us playing more stylish and successful football. Have patience with AVB he needs time to have his stamp on our team.

I feel we underestimated the overhaul that was required in the summer and January will be a step towards what is required. We are heading in the right direction, and although it is tough watching us lose to Aston Villa 3-1 at home, There are signs of improvement. It's a collapse that had always been waiting to happen and started last season, only now do I feel we are well and truly on the way up. With a few new signings and another pre-season for AVB to put more of his stamp on the team we can well and truly put a strong challenge together on both domestic soil and European soil.

Signing a 'Creative Winger' Now though I feel is imperative. It could wait to the summer, but expectations this season would have to lower significantly, there is hope though with AVB talking of an 'attacking player' he would like to add. It should be interesting.

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