Why Chelsea shouldn't sign a big name striker.

Chelsea's recent history is littered with big name strikers who failed to make the grade - Shevchenko, Torres, Kezman and even the ageing Eto'o. Surely there must be something deeper than pure coincidence to explain the consistent failings of top players. This isn't, at least in my opinion, just a case of bad signings and mismanagement, but rather a tactical error that lies deep within the club's philosophy.

I believe that Chelsea play a variation of a 'False 9' system, however they play with a striker as well. This leads to the striker playing almost on his own, which means that he doesn't fit into the overall system, playing more as a spare part than an essential player. Attacking midfielders Oscar and Juan Mata have 22 goals between them in the last 2 seasons, so this proves that these players can score goals given the chances, and with an extra midfielder rather than a forward player, this could create even more chances for the talented midfielders.

Chelsea are not short of attacking midfielders who can score goals and create chances, with in-form winger Eden Hazard scoring 17 in 54 league games, nearly a 1 in 3 record for the 23 year old, who looks like increasing that record significantly. Willian is a creative force yet no top striker can convert the chances that these top class wingers create - is it time to change the system?

With this system, Chelsea could control games more than they currently do. Giving Mikel a purely defensive role could help their current defensive issues, whilst still giving them a solid midfield two. It also means that Luiz may be able to push into midfield when in possession, which will help them control the game. Hazard is a perfect inside forward, playing between the wing and midfield, so he gives a goalscoring threat through the middle as well as a wide outlet. Willian is a terrific dribbler with genuine pace so can stretch teams, however he may not be as suited to an inside forward role. He could act more as a playmaker, with Mata playing as the 'False Nine'. Mata has the attributes to play well there - he can finish, dribble and fashion chances for players around him. He wouldn't need to defend as he would in the current system - one of the main reasons for Mourinho's preference for Oscar. Oscar can therefore play a free role behind Mata as he does in an attacking midfield usually, but he has improved his defensive side massively, so he can win the ball and attack from midfield. Ramires plays as an all round midfielder, winning the ball and adding a presence going forward as he does, but with Mikel to sit behind him and Oscar if he needs.

There appears to be a stigma in English football that playing without an out and out striker is defensive and an unneeded export of Spanish football. However, the best football teams of the last 8 years have played a system that is similar, so if that is defensive so be it. In a time that Tim Sherwood has reverted to a 'good old fashioned 4-4-2' it may be time for English football to move forward tactically. First of all, we need to learn from the other parts of the world, putting technical ability over physicality and accepting the ideas of Tiki-Taka and Catenaccio as parts of football, and not just outrageous foreign stuff. 

This system is not defensive - in fact, if the full backs get forward, it can give them 6-7 players going forward in a fluid system. It might also give Abramovich the flowing football he wants; the success may or may not come with it. There are some positions which would need strengthening of course: Ashley Cole is ageing and will need replacing sooner rather than later, and another central midfielder would not go amiss. 

I believe that a false nine system would suit Chelsea and I think that they should not go for the Falcao's and Ibrahimovic's of the world, instead going for the Arturo Vidal's and Jordi Alba's. Thanks for reading.