Chelsea FC: Who Is the Blues' Most Important Footballer in 2014/15?
Careworn for goals last campaign, the ostensive answer for Chelsea's most important footballer would seem a striker, specifically previous Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa.
Requiring £32 million from Roman Abramovich's apparently limitless coffer, the Brazilian-born Spanish international has been a revelation—giving the Blues four goals in his first three Premier League matches.
Yet the apparent retort is an incorrect one.
Struggling for deep-lying-midfield creativity last year, Cesc Fabregas might look the next-best option.
Obtained in June for £27 million—via Daily Mirror's Ben Curtis—the Spanish maestro has four assists in three EPL games, and is exactly what Jose Mourinho's side needed in the pivot versus teams who opt for compression.
But again, the presumed "next-best option" is an incorrect answer.
What then of 2013-14 Chelsea Player of the Year, Eden Hazard: The Belgian winger is without question Chelsea's most gifted player—fast, tricky and entering his prime, could Hazard be the man?
Third time asking and third time wrong.
The man atop Stamford Bridge's podium, confidently waving about his baton—responsible for conducting the 2014/15 rendition of Chelsea Football Club—is central midfielder Nemanja Matic.
For Costa to score, Fabregas to assist and Hazard to torment, Chelsea need balance; without the presence of Matic in midfield, Mourinho's outfit would be catalogued a headless chicken.
Leaving west London for virtual pennies in 2011, then coming back for £21 million in January, Matic had many inquiring about the Blues' transfer policy. While Chelsea's transfers over the past five years have been rather hit-or-miss, the decision to return the Serbian from S.L. Benfica was a masterstroke.
Domineering, technical and savvy—with a great nose for danger—Matic has easily established himself as Mourinho's best holding-midfield option over the past nine months, bettering the marks set by Ramires and/or John Obi Mikel.
While formations are attractive to discuss, they are merely templates. Modern football has embraced a more fluid nature, meaning while one’s team sheet claims "4-2-3-1," the movements of players are often more adventurous than their ascribed domains.
Fabregas—as publicised by Chelsea's twitter account—was branded a pivot mate with Matic vs. Everton on 30 August:
"Here's the @chelseafc line-up... #CFC pic.twitter.com/rtDP6ENOEN
— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) August 30, 2014"
Yet, despite the given pre-game formation, the heat maps tell a somewhat diverse story.
"Cesc Fàbregas & Nemanja Matić heat maps vs. Everton. Via @MailSport pic.twitter.com/7tdBKrIbR2
— ChelseaTALK (@_ChelseaTALK) September 7, 2014"
Even though their formational position would suggest more congruity, we see variance in the pivot partners; Chelsea's first two matches against Burnley and Leicester provide similar findings.
"Cesc Fàbregas & Nemanja Matić heat maps vs. Burnley. Via @MailSport pic.twitter.com/MMXWEVmN8D
— ChelseaTALK (@_ChelseaTALK) September 7, 2014"
"Cesc Fàbregas & Nemanja Matić heat maps vs. Leicester City. Via @MailSport pic.twitter.com/idVyyXV1Z6
— ChelseaTALK (@_ChelseaTALK) September 7, 2014"
Able to foray and interact with wingers and his striker, Fabregas knows when advancing that Matic will provide defensive cover. Mourinho, being the brilliant tactician, also starts Matic on the left side of the pivot—as an insurance policy for the oft-attacking Hazard.
In each case—both Fabregas’ and Hazard’s—Matic's role is crucial to creating the space and confidence compulsory to scoring goals.
While sharing some resemblance to the lauded “Makelele Role,” Mourinho has allowed Matic to venture forward. Claude Makelele recorded two goals in 144 Premier League appearances for Chelsea. Though not exponentially better, Matic has scored one in 22 league matches.
Matic marauding allows for unpredictability and dynamism; it also lends itself to final scores reading 6-3.
Wretched dead-ball marking will invariably cost goals, likewise being unable to deal with crosses, as witnessed during the Everton game. That said, the west Londoners are a tall, brutish outfit—hence Mourinho's patchwork in those areas should be promptly sown.
In open play, however, both Matic and Fabregas thinking offensively is a recipe for abject defending.
No matter how great John Terry, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic, Cesar Azpilicueta and/or Filipe Luis are, they need fortification from midfield. Chelsea's right flank is normally secure with Willian or Andre Schurrle but elsewhere the onus is on Matic to be positioned properly without fail.
Steven Naismith's goal on 30 August as a perfect illustration: Starting with a poor Ramires tackle, watch how Fabregas trails the play and Matic runs from his position with Gareth Barry—in a forlorn effort to tackle Aiden McGeady.
"#EVEvsCHE highlights Steven Naismith's goal @ 4:12 http://t.co/zz6McppNaf
— EPL Predictions (@EPLPredictions_) September 8, 2014"
With just one trivial mistake, Everton were able to capitalise on the ambitious Fabregas, occupied Matic and vulnerable Chelsea rear guard.
By acquiring the Spanish firepower required to compete for multiple titles, Chelsea have simultaneously made the job of their Serbian midfielder indeterminately more arduous. How Matic copes with having to protect his back four, yet still contribute offensively is the key component in the Blues' team balance.
As proven last year, the side with England’s best balance in attack and defence, Manchester City, finished as champions—scoring 102 goals and allowing only 37 past their posts.
The overtly attacking Liverpool and misery Chelsea fell just short.
If Mourinho's side are to knock City off their perch, the man to monitor is not the goalscorer, assister or mercurial winger—it is he who bears the burden of doing Chelsea's industrial work. The work imperative to facilitating the success of others.
Matic is the elected party in 2014/15 to perform such duties.
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