The FACKTS

First topic message reminder :

The second task - DEADLINE 2359 ON THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER - is as follows:

You are Rafael Benitez, recently appointed as Interim Chelsea Manager. You want the job on a full-time basis. To get the job, your mandate from the owner is this - win the league, get to at least the semi-final of the Champions League, and win the FC Cup like last year. In order to do this, you can buy/sell as many players as you want in the January transfer window. In addition to funds raised, Abramovich has given you £50m to spend.

So that's it - win stuff, spend some money to do so. What I want from you is the detailed plans you would put together - from now until Christmas how you'll set up, who you'll buy in January, and how your team will set up from then until the end of the season.

Hero, you are the Captain of Team Wilshere, and Trebs, you are the Captain of Team Scholes. Please ask questions if you need any clarity.

Lord Azzy Mahmood

Current Squad

GOALKEEPERS
GK Petr Cech
GK Ross Turnbull
GK Henrique Hilario

DEFENDERS
RB Cesar Azpilacueta
RB Paulo Ferriera
RB/CB Branislav Ivanovic
CB David Luiz
CB Gary Cahill
CB Angelo Ogbonna
CB John Terry
LB Ashley Cole
LB Ryan Bertrand

MIDFIELDERS
RM Victor Moses
DM Oriol Romeu
DM John Obi Mikel
DM Yann M'Vila
CM Ramires
CM Morgan Schneiderlin
AM Oscar
AM Eden Hazard
LM Marko Marin
LM Juan Mata

FORWARDS
WG/ST Edinson Cavani
ST Daniel Sturridge
ST Fernando Torres

Baines is a step down to Cole so I dont know why we going there.

Hey, I've just got in from uni

I think with Cole seemingly not signing a new contract then Baines would be the perfect replacement. With Cavani, I meant he could play on the wing behind Torres as Torres wasn't happy second choice, this would enable us to mix up the side a bit with Cavani upfront at times against the big teams and both of them playing against the smaller teams.

I'd rather have Cavani as main striker and Mata/Hazard/Oscar then Torres as main striker and Cavani out wide.

I'm not a fan of too many changes, I'd want a CB, DM and a ST and I think we'll be ok. We dont want to interupt the team too much

Yeah but having the options of Cavani or Torres in attack, then that way we could try and keep both strikers happy, that's what I'm trying to say. I agree we shouldn't try to change too much too quickly.

Right, I am going to go for:

PLAYERS IN
Ogbonna - £9.7m
Cavani - £31m
M'Vila - £16m
= £56.7m

PLAYERS OUT
Malouda - £4.8m
Lampard - £4.8m
= £9.6m

Courtois, if possible to return from loan, which Olly is looking into.

I have thought about what everyone has said and I think this is the best we can do. We aren't really removing anyone crucial to the side which is the main thing, and we are getting a couple of players who would improve us.

So, your tasks:
Viva, can you write up a set of tactics for the current side please?
Sodhat, can you write up a set of tactics for the new side please?
Olly, can you provide a description of all the ins/outs and how the squad will change please?


If this could be done by Wednesday then I can read through it all and ensure I'm happy with it before submission. I will talk through other aspects of the running of the club, such as the training, dealing with Terry, Torres etc.

Thanks

kk babycakes sorry not been about today mental day at school

Will have all the things written up by Wednesday and will find out about Courtois tonight

Ill be honest I don't see what Mvila offers us what Mikel don't.

Ill do my section by Wednesay.

Viva, I tried to account for your decisions, like with Cole and Ogbonna.

Who would you sooner we signed at CM?

I'm not gonna start my write up until we are for definate sure on who we are signing

I can't find anything on Courtois having a recall clause in his loan contract

THE FACKTS PRESENTATION
I have to talk about facts because it is important. I want to be clear, I don't want to play mind games too early. I want to state some facts and we can be clear about this. I am not playing mind games I am talking about facts.

We have decided to make a few transfers in the January transfer window, however we do not want to make wholesale changes as this would cause too much disruption to the squad. We have made a few transfers who will improve the side, and offloading Lampard, who would be leaving at the end of the season in any case, and Malouda who has been training with the U21's and won't feature in any case. Coming in will be Cavani, M'Vila and Ogbonna, all of which will improve the side.

Sergio Aguirre will come in as an assistant manager. He is currently out of work but keen to coach in the Premier League. He has a strong managerial portfolio, having worked both domestically in the Spanish League and internationally with Mexico.

Fernando Torres has not been in top form for a while, but we can help him, by showing faith in him and also analysing his performances individually after each game. This will be carried out by Aguirre, who worked with Fernando Torres at Athletico Madrid and knows him well. He will help him to get back to his best form, changing his playing style slightly and helping him with his decision making. He needs confidence and we feel this man can help him out.

A key factor of our success will be getting the players onside. John Terry is a massive figure, and getting him on our side and getting him to publicly back us will help our cause. We want to give him a clean slate, forgetting his shaky past. He can lead us and be a crucial figure.


TRAINING
We will have a weekly meeting on the Monday after the weekend game, with squad building activities and an analysis of the weekend's game, which is an important session. If we play in midweek, then this meeting will occur again the following morning. Whether we get a massive win or lose, it is important we look through what is going well and what can be improved upon. The rest of the day should be taken off, as it is important the players physically get a rest.

Throughout the week, we should look to have a mixture of individual and team-based training regimes. The individual skills should be position related, so we will group all of the goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards together and do specialized drills relating to their talents.

As a team, we should have some drills though. Examples could include set pieces, both attacking and defending as this is becoming a crucial part of the game with goals being lost and won through these. If we have a few options from each set piece, then that can give us the crucial edge. We will also have small sided games, as well as a game against the youth side in the week if there is no midweek game.


TRANSFERS
[Olly]


TACTICS UNTIL JANUARY
[Viva]

TACTICS AFTER JANUARY
[Sodhat]

onlytreblewinners wrote:Viva, I tried to account for your decisions, like with Cole and Ogbonna.

Who would you sooner we signed at CM?

I was giving my input whatever you decide to go with I will back you with that 100%. I would go for Biglia but I realised that he has already played in the CL this season. I would like us to go for someone who can play as a deep playmaker that allows Hazard, Mata and Oscar to play higher up without having to drop deep to get the ball.

A key factor of our success will be getting the players onside. John Terry is a massive figure, and getting him on our side and getting him to publicly back us will help our cause. We want to give him a clean slate, forgetting his shaky past. He can lead us and be a crucial figure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

That means we can't drop him can we? If Terry is dropped he will be against us.

Cech
Ivanovic---Luiz---Cahill---Cole
--------Ramires---M'Vila
Mata--------Oscar------Hazard
----------Torres/Cavani

Is this what we're looking at? Do we need to give the players or speak more broadly about how we would look to play?

That's right Sodhat, only area I'm not too sure on is at centre back. I will deal with the JT situation, don't worry about whether he starts or not

Give a couple of line up possibilities, but our main line up will be the 4-2-3-1. Cavani could play flanking Torres, perhaps with Hazard the other side?
But speak broadly about the side and the line-ups

Main tactics

----------------------------Cech/Courtois
Ivanovic/Azpilicueta---Luiz/Terry---Cahill/Ogbonna---Cole/Bertrand
----------Ramires/Romeu/Schneiderlin---M'Vila/Mikel
Mata/Moses------------------Oscar/Marin-----------Hazard/Sturridge
----------------------------Torres/Cavani


Depending on the game, and the form of the component parts, there will be options for Chelsea after we make our signings.

The base formation should be a 4-2-3-1, which suits the talents of our players and the players coming in. Ideally we want to keep up the fluent attacking movement behind the main striker - being Torres or Cavani - and look to maximise the interplay of these creative talents ahead of the base midfield. Oscar will start in the middle, but when he drifts wide or comes deep, both Mata and Hazard should seek to move to the space.

One of the holding midfielders will be tasked with that alone, where the other - likely Ramires - is freer to move up the field and drive forward with the ball.

The full backs will be granted a licence to move up the pitch but with a responsibility to get back and maintain a solid line when we are not on the ball. In attack, the width they provide will be paramount to allowing the front players the freedom to interchange without restricting our width.

David Luiz will be fitted with an ankle bracelet that shocks him when he crosses the halfway line.

Alternatives

----------------------------Cech/Courtois
Ivanovic/Azpilicueta---Luiz/Terry---Cahill/Ogbonna---Cole/Bertrand
----------Ramires/Schneiderlin/Oscar---M'Vila/Mikel/Romeu
Mata/Moses---------------------------------------Hazard/Sturridge/Marin
-----------------------Torres---------Cavani

Given the depth of the squad, we may wish to move to a 4-4-2 formation to partner our strikers together and take advantage of the extra man up front. This would require discipline in defence with 2 banks of four when not in possession, but with potential for our creative players to get forward from wide and our full backs to get the ball into the box when they attack and give width.

The midfield would then rely on a blend of industry and guile so we could look to move any of the more attacking players further back and have them dictate passing. Either Mata or Oscar are capable of this role.

------------------------------

What else would you like to see, and what are opinions of that so far?

That looks great to me OK:

Looking at it though, I think we could maybe do with signing one more central midfielder? Thoughts

My thought too. I had to put Romeu down, but he really isn't someone who offers a threat up field too. We need someone a bit more attacking or versatile there I'd say.

We want someone who can do everything, ideally a youngster who can develop into a key player?

I'll do a bit of scouting

Mateo Kovacic? Available at £2.6m?

We only have £2.9m unless we decide to offload someone else.

How about someone more of a squad player used for cups or a change of pace. Jordi Gomez is £2.6m, and he could operate as part of the squad. Spanish too, so Rafa compatible...

I'm not sure if Jordi Gomez could play in the CM role as part of a 4-4-2 though?

I think he could operate from deeper as a playmaker type while someone does work alongside him. Not necessarily a frequent contributor, but as a sub and a player to come in when resting others.

How about Schneiderlin? Really impressed me so far in the middle and is versatile.

Yes, I would be happy to have him

Do you think we need more than two tactical ideals, or do we not want to confuse the issue?

I was going to show a 3-5-2, and a 4-1-2-1-2 but not wanting to overcomplicate it.

Definately Schneiderlin over Jordi Gomez imo. Gomez has a good game every now and again but is really really inconsistent where as Scneiderlin is dependable

What are the final signings and outs then? Gonna do my piece tonight

Exactly the same as previously mentioned + Schneiderlin

I'm not gonna be able to get my piece up until after 10 at the earliest tonight. Just gotta add some more to it and it'll be done.

Not around today, and if I am it will be briefly on my phone

I've added Schneiderlin's name into my tactics bit above

I'm start my Chelsea original XI, do I go with the following team:

Looks right to me

I can't seem to remember Mata, Oscar and Hazard starting together it always seems like Oscar comes on from the bench. Don't want us to get marked down for that.

Oscar has started the last bunch of games since around Sept/October to my memory

Mata starts on the right when they all play

Chelsea last 6 games before not including the Benitez era or the match against Juventus because they went for something different

vs West Brom

vs Liverpool

Vs Shakhtar

vs Swansea

vs Man Utd (Cup)

vs Man Utd

VivaPaulScholes wrote:I'm start my Chelsea original XI, do I go with the following team:

Cech
Ivanovic--Cahill--Terry--Cole
Mikel--Ramires
Mata---Oscar---Hazard
Torres

Spot on

Formation: 4-2-3-1

We will be going with the 4-2-3-1 with the team above depending on injury and suspensions. We have the mix of youth and experience in our side with the ability to play good Football and also get stuck in against the opposition.

KEEPER
Cech for a team like Chelsea concentration is key, we want you to stay focus at all times because there will be times where you have nothing to do and then a split second you'll be forced into a save. Communication is vital when working with defenders always let them know early if you can collect or punch a ball. Ideally we would prefer you to catch the ball but we know at times under pressure you'll have to punch it. Stand your ground on 1 v1 making yourself big as possible and the goal small. If you can't hold onto a shot parry it away from goal reducing the chance of opposition player getting onto it.

DEFENDERS
I want you four to work as a unit. The FB will offer support going forward but I only want to see one pushing up at a time, Ivanovic I want you to see you use your powerful stride with the ball getting it forward passing and moving creating space. Cole when you get forward offer us width linking up with the winger passing the ball and getting forward. When defending do not dive into the opposition winger, jockey him and try to stop the supply by getting body infront or pushing him inside where we have our DM that can help out.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS
Mikel will sit back not pushing up keeping the ball moving to the attacking players while holding his defensive position. Always give our defenders an option to pass to you taking pressure of them when opposition players push forward to close them down. Help out your FB if they are out of positions or doubling up on a winger coming inside. Ramires will have more licenses to get forward but his main priority is defending helping Mikel out with his energy and powerful style of play I want you to run around closing players down when they come into our half pushing them backwards. Time your runs when going forward when we're on the break run forward making deep runs into the box or run forward with ball.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD
The attacking trio will swap around with each other making it harder for the opposition to pick them up and creating space for others. I would like to see them utilising quick passing and movement to open up the opposition and getting the ball forward at times use a bit of individual skill to beat a man running at him with pace and trickery. I would like to see them defending from high up the pitch trying to win it back high up as possible so we can create chances for Torres or others.

STRIKER
Torres is the focal point but this does not mean we are expecting him to score all our goals. Play as a CF through the middle I don't want to see Torres going out wide positions, get in behind the defenders, always stay on the move creating space and room for the attackers to pass you. Others will look to make runs beyond you so look to flick the ball onto them. I want you to get yourself into positions where you have chance of scoring hit the trigger get shots on goal if you miss try again. Keep moving in the final third because our strikers will find you.

I understand Football is a squad game and we have others that will be playing their part in our quest of winning trophies. We will at times have to shuffle players or change formations during a game depending in the situation and I feel we have players in reserve that have the quality to pop up with important performances.

Nice work Viva. Could you add a little about Torres getting into more goalscoring positions please though, and encouraging him to shoot a bit more.

Olly, just get it done as soon as you can.

Is there anything else anyone thinks we should do fro this task?

I will run through everything Thursday evening.

Done.

Whats happening with the terry issue?

I was going to slightly reword what I said. But personally I think we should just go with our strongest line-up, and if Terry's not part of that, then tough.

He does have a big influence within Chelsea and the fans are already against Benitez it'll only take a word in Romans ear and Rafa would be out. I heard he was part of the reason why Di Matteo got sacked and influeced other decsiions.

PLAYERS IN

Angelo Ogbonna - £9.7m - FC Turin

We decided we needed a centre back to offer us good quality depth in that position especially considering Terry's fitness issues and David Luiz's defensive problems. We decided to go for a player who is athletic and composed on the ball and Ogbonna fits the criteria for this. He is also relatively young at 24 years old, so him and Luiz/Cahill could form our CB partnership for many a year.

Edinson Cavani - £31m - Napoli

Edinson is a top quality striker who has been scoring for fun in Serie A for many years now. However with Napoli not making the Champions League this season we are going to swoop in and take him to offer us many a option. We decided to go for Cavani over say a Falcao because Cavani can also offer us an option on the wing in a 4-2-3-1 as well as the man to lead the line. Also Edinson could play alongside Torres in a 4-4-2. We feel he could become one of the top strikers in the world with the service we can provide him, and it's time for him to take the next step in his career.

Yann M'Vila - £16m - Rennes

Yann is a player who has been highly sought after in the past and has had his attitude questioned from many people. However his talent as a DM cannot be questioned and we want to take him on as we feel he has a point to prove. He would also help us plug a hole in our team at DM, we feel he is an improvement on Mikel. Taking him on may be a risk, but we will nurture him and give him all the tools to become the top top midfielder that he can become.

Morgan Schneiderlin - ???? - Southampton

Morgan has been a player that has caught our eye with his consistently outstanding play with Southampton not only in the Championship but now in the Premier League. He is young enough and we see enough potential for him to really progress in the facilities here, and he could potentially become a starter for us, but if not he is a more than able backup if we suffer injuries.

= £????m spent overall

PLAYERS OUT

Florent Malouda - £4.8m

Florent is quite frankly surplus to requirements at the club now. He is a high earner and that money could be well spent on a younger player or better player. He is still good enough to go to a club in Ligue 1 we reckon.

Frank Lampard - £4.8m

Frank's time has passed unfortunately. Despite him being a legend at the club, his legs have gone and he doesn't offer us an option apart from penalties and set pieces. It would be best for all parties if we split ways, as we could use his wages to spend elsewhere in the squad and Frank could head off to America for one last pay day.

= £9.6m sold overall


Sorry it's not that great but I'm on my phone and won't be able to go on my laptop till tomorrow afternoon at the earliest now. Sorry I don't know Schneiderlin's price, so if you guys could fill in the gaps and check it that would be great! Sorry sorry sorry sorry

Hey guys. I'm out till tonight and i'm just on briefly now.

i'll finish up the stuff, if you get any ideas or anything during the day then let me know

I think we need to talk about the Terry issue its one of the most important things that can potentially make or break us getting the job. Its fine you saying you know what you'll do but if we can have a discussion on it we know where we stand.

Okay, what do you want to do with terry?

If I can't sell Terry I would then keep him in the team because firstly he is still a very good defender Chelseas best secondly if we do drop him he can easily influence the other players to go against us. We need our senior players to be supportive of us. I can't see it working if we drop Terry and he is still at the club.

Well we can always include Terry in the line up I guess?

He could very quickly turn it against a manager if he's not happy, I'm certain it's not just Roman's itchy trigger finger seeing people off.

The alternative is to move him on, but at 31, with huge wages and a checkered past, where to?

Minus the dodgy past we could say the same about Malouda and Lampard? If we let him go on the cheap which will compensate for the high wages a team like Inter would pick him up.

Or we'll have to keep him as first teamer, it's not like his a liability he is still the best defender at the club and better then the defenders I suggested.

Ivanovic is the best defender at Chelsea

It depends - if he is pally with Roman, any attempt to get rid of him might be futile anyway.

We could arrange a hit?

Not a deadly one like, but just as Romeu to try break his foot in training or something.