Picking an Elite Chelsea 5-a-Side Team from Current Squad
They may be reigning Premier League champions, but Chelsea have failed miserably this season. The Blues sit in mid-table in the Premier League, and despite March not being out, they have nothing to play for this season.
They won't be lifting any silverware after being knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup, while the Capital One Cup has long since gone. As for the league, the best they can hope for is to creep into the Europa League spots for next season.
With all this in mind, what would happen if the Blues decided to switch disciplines? What if Chelsea decided to that five-a-side football was the way to revitalise this struggling team?
Who would make the lineup? Would they fare any better than they have this season? Would they have the flair to break teams down and punish them in the shorter form of the game?
Well, we at Bleacher Report have been asking ourselves those questions and think we may have come up with the answers.
So, we present to you our elite Chelsea five-a-side team picked from those players in the current squad. That means no loan players are included while—as is typical at Stamford Bridge—any budding youth stars are also overlooked.
NB: We've opted for a rush goalkeeper system, meaning there's little need for a specialist to be a custodian between the sticks. The intention is for this team to outscore opponents, so our apologies to Thibaut Courtois, Asmir Begovic and Marco Amelia, who don't make it into our five-a-side lineup. You're just not needed, chaps.
The Talent: Eden Hazard
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Yes, he's had a horrible season, and yes, we're none the wiser as to whether he'll be a Chelsea player next season.
But all that said, it would be a ridiculous decision to not feature Eden Hazard in a five-a-side team at Chelsea. Granted, we're selecting him here more on reputation than current form, yet when he's at his best, the Belgian is a delicious player.
Hazard has all the tricks and feints a successful five-a-side player requires. He has a burst of pace to accelerate past opponents and is adept at carving out space in tight areas—a major prerequisite in the game.
He would be the star man in our Chelsea five-a-side, with everything going through him to make things happen.
We'd just need to get him back on form.
The Bulldozer: Diego Costa
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So, from the craft of Eden Hazard to the more direct, brutal element every five-a-side team needs: We're talking about a bruiser.
Whether we're playing in a local league or just with friends, there's always that one player who relishes the cage that five-a-side is played in.
Those four walls aren't just for a cheeky one-two with an imaginary sixth teammate—they're a chance for a few late barges to squat opponents like flies and leave your mark.
There's no other present Chelsea player more suitable than Diego Costa to ruffle the feathers in a five-a-side game. He causes enough aggravation when it's 11-a-side, so with reduced opponents, his antics are only going to be more concentrated.
Costa is an out-and-out goalscorer, too, so he'd add plenty to this five-a-side outfit.
The Workhorse: Willian
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It's by no means underplaying Willian's talents to label him a workhorse. In most cases that tag comes with the impression that a player just runs and runs and runs and runs, but it's different for Willian.
The Brazilian's work rate is impeccable, but he's also efficient in what he does. He's no headless chicken, making the right sort of movement off the ball to create space for others while also knowing when to track back and defend.
To complement what this Chelsea five-a-side would have in Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, the work rate of Willian will ensure the pitch feels even smaller. He would hassle and hurry players in possession, forcing them into mistakes and onto the back foot.
Five-a-side is about closing players down and not allowing them time to create. Willian would be perfect for that, also adding some creativity in front of goal.
The Defender: Cesar Azpilicueta
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Despite the frantic nature of five-a-side of football, teams boasting sound defensive minds can never be underestimated.
So we may have already selected some characters in this Chelsea team, but Cesar Azpilicueta would be equally vital with the view to keeping teams out at the back.
Of all Chelsea's defenders in their current squad, the Spaniard is probably the most complete and suited to five-a-side football. He's quick, capable with the ball in possession and has enough positional sense to not get caught out.
We'd see Azpilicueta as one of those players who rarely scores—he doesn't much for Chelsea, anyway—but does plenty at the back by mopping up for those around him.
Azpilicueta would do the simple things well, like making interceptions before passing to a more able teammate.
Given he's dynamic and a good athlete, he'd be ideal to handle the fast-paced, zippy nature of the game.
Also, as the one player not inclined to get forward too much, Azpilicueta would be perfectly suited in our rush goalkeeper system.
The Luxury: Cesc Fabregas
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Whether it's a full-on 11-a-side match or just five-a-side, every team has room for luxury. The luxury in our five-a-side lineup would be Cesc Fabregas.
Why? Well just watch him play, and you'll work it out.
Despite some difficult periods this season, the Spaniard has still looked a class act. He's a silky type who can dictate the pace of a game from midfield, and we'd see him doing something similar here.
His passing is exquisite, but most importantly of all, he has a knack for finding space in tight areas.
The best five-a-side teams are those who can keep possession and have their opponents chasing the ball, running themselves into the ground. Fabregas would allow our Chelsea side to do just that, teasing opponents as they attempt to retrieve the ball.
Fabregas would be a nightmare to play against, but a joy to watch.
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
