4 Potential Tactical Set-Ups for Jose Mourinho's Chelsea Next Season

Those who say they know which formation Jose Mourinho is going to use next season for his Chelsea are clearly unaware of the pragmatism that lies in the Portuguese's mind.

As a top manager, the key distinction which separates the better coaches from the rest is having an established setup which can be implemented at any time, while also having several backup strategies to utilise as a Plan B. 

His preparation is thorough, from analysing his next challengers via his team of opposition scouts to preparing the players mentally through intimate team-talks.

But one of the most important aspects of modern football is tactics. Traditionally, Mourinho likes to attack with wingers and a main focal point of the attack, while also remaining disciplined at the back.

And today we look at which five setups he may be able to use next season while in charge of Chelsea.

4-2-3-1

This is likely to be the most favoured set-up under Jose Mourinho, with the 4-2-3-1 allowing a balanced set-up while also attacking in numbers.

The back four will remain slightly more disciplined than usual, with David Luiz limited to sticking to position as opposed to making surging runs forward. 

The full-backs in the shape of Ashley Cole and Cesar Azpilicueta will provide support down the flanks when the wingers are in possession to open up space, and that's a strategy Chelsea tend to use frequently.

In the centre of the park, Frank Lampard will look to dictate the play from a deep position, spraying a wide range of passes out to Eden Hazard and Andre Schurrle, while also looking to play balls into the channels to Fernando Torres.

As Lampard sits deep, the energetic Ramires will be given licence to roam in a box-to-box midfielder role, closing down the opposition when in possession and drifting forward to aid the frontline when on the offensive.

Mourinho will look to use Hazard and Schurrle in a similar fashion to when he had Damien Duff and Arjen Robben during his first stint at Chelsea. They will begin by hugging the touchline, before cutting inside onto their favoured foot.

4-1-2-1-2

This could be the setup to use should Edinson Cavani arrive from Napoli, as Chelsea look to adapt their formation to their summer signings. 

The Uruguay international is currently at the Confederations Cup with his country but has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea as reported by Ed Malyon in the Mirror.

As a powerful forward, Cavani could be used as part of a front two with Fernando Torres, although the 26-year-old would play slightly less advanced in more of a second striker role, picking the ball up from deep. This would see the likes of Oscar and Andre Schurrle inevitably drop to the bench.

Behind the front pair would be a midfield which would perhaps lack fluidity but would ensure that the balance of attacking and defending remains intact.

Hazard could operate as an advanced winger, becoming one of the main supply lines on the left along with Mata through the centre, while having the energy of Ramires on the right-hand side with David Luiz in the holding position would ensure the Blues have enough defensive options.

With Luiz moving into midfield, this would allow Mourinho to select the reliable Branislav Ivanovic as John Terry's defensive partner, retaining the aerial support and strength lost by Luiz's departure into the defensive midfield role.

3-4-3

This formation is highly unlikely given Jose Mourinho's focus on keeping discipline at the back, but it would give the Portuguese tactician a variety of options to use.

With Ashley Cole and Ramires acting as wing backs, their energy and pace would add another dimension to Chelsea's play, with Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel holding the central midfield positions.

Meanwhile, the front three could consist of Eden Hazard and Andre Schurrle sitting behind Edinson Cavani. That being said, there is a chance the Uruguayan may not join Chelsea, and if that were to happen, it could be Romelu Lukaku or Fernando Torres.

Operating in this formation would be beneficial to Mourinho if he planned to dominate games. It's very attacking and open, so if the Blues were to lose the ball, it could be dangerous against counterattacking sides.

4-3-3

Jose Mourinho has already said he is not expecting to introduce mass changes to the squad, and he may not need to.

But if Juan Mata was to make a surprise departure from West London this summer, there could be a slight alteration to Chelsea's strategy. The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Barcelona, per The Daily Mail, to give Mourinho the green light to go ahead and spend.

The formation shown above shows only one new arrival in the starting XI—highly-rated French youngster Geoffrey Kondogbia from Sevilla, who has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, per ESPN.

The imposing midfielder likes to play in Patrick Vieira-style role, casually protecting the defence from danger while making the odd run forward.

The usual back four would line up, with Cesar Azpilicueta and Ashley Cole bursting forward down either side of the pitch to help create some width, as Eden Hazard and Oscar would be encouraged to cut inside from the left and right.

Once again, the frontline is based on whether Cavani decides to join or not. Fernando Torres would be the man to lead the line as he is more acquainted to playing with Hazard and Oscar than Romelu Lukaku would be.