Carlo Ancelotti will look to compensate for the loss of Didier Drogba to the African Cup of Nations by changing his Chelsea formation. An article published in the Times today, first tweeted by Greek Fan last night, has Ancelotti stating plans for a new Christmas tree formation with both Cole and Deco given leading roles…
“I think when the African players go away in January this will be the ideal solution: using one forward, Anelka, with Deco and Cole behind, and Lampard in midfield.”
From that we can glean that both Deco and Joe Cole will get an opportunity for a run of starts throughout January. The pair will be expected to flank Anelka, while Lampard will presumably make up the midfield with Ballack and possibly Malouda or Zhirkov. Alternatively Belletti could be employed in the holding role within a midfield trio.
These plans may have had a slight spanner placed in them by Anelka’s calf injury. Earlier today it was confirmed that the striker will miss the next two games, although Ancelotti will hope that he will make a return for the trip to Hull – the first match without Drogba and perhaps the first outing for this new formation.
Us Fantasy Managers have several points to consider following this news. Firstly it’s pretty clear that Daniel Sturridge, despite his appearance from the bench at West Ham last weekend, is not in Ancelotti’s plans for his first eleven. Clearly Sturridge will be a factor from the bench but perhaps little more than that.
Secondly, with Joe Cole seemingly assured of three or four starts in January, he can at last be considered a worthwhile investment, particularly if he is pushed up in support of Anelka. Cole has a keen eye for goal and will create and take chances. His price tag (9.0 in the Fantasy Premier League game) is certainly off-putting but Cole could easily emerge as a major differential in midfield throughout January if he can take this opportunity. Having been eased back into action, fitness shouldn’t be an issue. Chelsea faltering form and the absence of Drogba are concerns but fixtures, certainly from gameweeks 21-23 (hul SUN BIR) look kind enough to produce goals for Ancelotti’s side. Joe Cole blinks that little brighter on our radars now.
Finally, you have to wonder how Lampard’s points will be affected by the new January formation. So far this season Frank has relied more heavily on spot-kicks to maintain his fantasy output. Only one of his six Premier League goals have come from open play, but given that Ancelotti specifically picks out Lampard in his quote, we can deduce that he will be the one charged to get forward from a central position to support Anelka. That could and should bring more joy for Lampard owners and make him more attractive as a January signing for the rest of us.