How Chelsea can line up FOUR different ways and never use same player twice with swollen squad reaching bursting point

08/13/2024 10:58 AM

CHELSEA’S inflated squad continues to grow as they splash the cash in the transfer market.

The Blues have now signed 35 players and spent well in excess of £1BILLION on new arrivals since Todd Boehly took over in 2022.

New manager Enzo Maresca has already seen his squad boosted by nine stars this summer alone.

Arrivals such as Pedro Neto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tosin Adarabioyo have come through the doors at Stamford Bridge ready to make their impact.

But they’ll have to ensure they’re in tip top form to earn their spot in the starting XI given the mammoth numbers filling the seats in the dressing room as things stand.

While there are also some more names being linked with a switch to West London, meaning there could be even more additions before the transfer deadline later this month.

In fact, The Mirror have discovered that the Blues have so many players on their books that they could field FOUR separate teams without using the same player twice.

Here SunSport breaks down how Maresca could field those teams this season and which players would have to slot in where…

LINE-UP No.1

Enzo Maresca has been implementing an interesting 3-2-4-1 formation at Chelsea during their pre-season preparations, with his creative tactics seeing club captain Reece James playing in midfield.

The Pep disciple is a big fan of the inverted full-back meaning James finds himself in the middle of the park more than he does at the back.

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It would be new £20.7m shot-stopper Filip Jorgensen in net for the Blues in this instance with Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwil and Euro 2024 winner Marc Cucurella sitting in front of him as a back three.

James’ midfield partner would be Enzo Fernandez, while a four in front of them would be made up of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Christopher Nkunku and new boy Pedro Neto.

Last season’s go-to centre-forward Nicolas Jackson would lead the line.

That’s an XI of incredible stars which could feasibly line up in some of the biggest game of the season, and it still leaves out hundreds of millions of pounds worth of assets.

LINE-UP No.2

You’d be forgiven for thinking the next XI is Chelsea’s full strength side given the sheer number of big names on display and the millions splashed on bringing them to Stamford Bridge.

Last summer’s goalkeeping acquisition Robert Sanchez would start between the sticks with Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile joining new arrival Tosin Adarabioyo at the back.

Malo Gusto would play the inverted full-back role and Romeo Lavia – who has made just one appearance for the Blues since his £58m move – would partner him in the middle of the park.

Carney Chukwuemeka and new signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall would operate just in front of the more defensive pair.

The attacking trio would require Chelsea to follow through with their links to sign Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix, who they have been rumoured to buy after their deal for Samu Omorodion collapsed.

Felix, who previously made 20 loan appearances for Chelsea, would occupy one flank with Mykhailo Mudryk on the other side.

Teenage talent Marc Guiu would be the number nine in this line-up.

LINE-UP No.3

This is where Chelsea begin to look a little weaker when you stop being able to use players more than once.

However, they still have strong enough depth to field an impressive XI that could do a job against a number of Premier League clubs.

It’s Dorde Petrovic in net with a back three in front of him consisting of Ben Chilwell, a surplus to requirements Trevoh Chalobah and youngster Bashir Humpreys.

In midfield Lesley Ugochukwu, Cesare Casadei and summer acquisition Renato Veiga would join Conor Gallagher, who’s proposed move to Atletico Madrid appears to be in doubt.

Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke would play wide with Armando Broja through the middle completing a strong front three that would be the envy of many top teams.

LINE-UP No.4

Things get murky here as Maresca would have to dip heavily into his youth ranks to make up the numbers, but it’s still possible.

Marcus Bettinelli would be the presence in goal, with an inexperienced and youthful back three of Zak Surge, Josh Acheampong and Harrison Murray-Campbell sitting in front of him.

New £19m teenager Omari Kellyman would join Cobham graduates Tyrique George, Tino Anjorin and Leo Castledine in midfield.

It would be an all South American party on the wings as Brazilian wizkids Deivid Washington and Angelo Gabriel would provide width to the team.

While forgotten £97.5m man Romelu Lukaku is starting as striker with the Belgian, unbelievably, still on the books at Stamford Bridge.