Premier League
Jorginho arrival at the Stamford Bridge has forced N’Golo Kante to play an unfamiliar position.
The change in position has prompted criticism towards Maurizio Sarri. The Chelsea fan favorite is playing at the left of the midfield three instead of the heart of midfield.
The complaints came thick and fast after Chelsea’s humbling defeat by Tottenham last weekend. Disgruntled supporters claimed that N’Golo Kante is being played out of position, Jorginho has been worked out and Maurizio Sarri needs a Plan B.
Solution 1:
Play a 4-2-3-1 with two holding midfielders.
Jamie Carragher came up with an idea to play Kante and Jorginho as a double pivot in the base of midfield. The only issue with playing a 4-2-3-1 is there is no recognized No. 10 to play there. Yes, Kovacic and Barkley could play there but they work better playing as Box to Box midfielder.
Fabregas can definitely fill that role as the creative influence. He’s averaging above 2 key passes a game which remains top 5 in the league. Hazard can also play in the Number 10 role as he has done before, with Pedro and Willian used as wingers.
Solution 2:
Play a 4-3-3 with Kante in the Holding midfielder role.
As much as Sarri wants to deny that Kante doesn’t have the “technical” ability to play in the DM role. That’s not true. Kante made around 7 tackles and interceptions a game last season, that’s highest in Europe. Those are truly elite numbers. He won 2 consecutive Premier League Titles, PFA player of the year and not to mention the World Cup with France this year.
And it’s not as if it’s not been done before. Sergio Busquets played the holding role in Pep Guardiola’s legendary Barcelona side. He used to screen the defense. On his left, you’d find Iniesta who was more attacking. And on Busquets’ right, you’d find Xavi.
Xavi effectively did the same thing that Jorginho is tasked to do at the moment. To pull the strings from deep. to keep the play ticking, and to also help maintain position.
Overview:
However, tellingly, it is Kante rather than Jorginho who is being asked to adapt his game. The Brazil-born Italy international is fundamental to Sarri’s system and he has been playing in the exact same metronomic manner.
It is worth pointing out that Jorginho initially struggled at the San Paolo, after being asked to play out of his favored central position by former Partenopei boss Rafa Benitez.
It is Kante who must change and the stats show the former Leicester man is shooting more in the league this season. He is now averaging 1.85 tackles a game – down from 3.39 – while his interceptions rate has also fallen, from 2.55 to 1.31.
Sarri does not consider switching their positions as Jorginho is averaging 99 passes per game. He is the man that he wants taking the ball off his two center-backs, and that will not change. Only time and results will tell if Sarri is willing o change his system. But as of now, nothing changes.
Photo credit to susanna chen via Flickr
