My takes on the Chelsea football club: Chelsea's 'fluidic' attack

Michael Emenalo under Roman Abrahamovich's orders, has gone overboard in stacking Chelsea's squad with as many as 6 attacking midfielders. The reason was there for everyone to see in the Chelsea-Newcastle PL game. Chelsea's second goal (from Torres) is a specific example of the same.

Build Up Play....

Mikel brings the ball high up the pitch (a rarity for him), but ends up passing the ball sideways to Hazard.

With Luiz (bottom right in the above image) also in the opposition half, Chelsea seem to be playing a high defense!!!

Seeing Newcastle’s well organized two defensive banks of four, Hazard spreads the play, by passing the ball to Ivanovic on the right wing. And then instantly tries to exploit the space between the midfield and defense ( disadvantage of a a 4-4-2 vs a midfield triangle comes to the fore here). Gutiérrez reacts by moving to the left wing to offer support to Santone.

Look at Mata, as he speeds from his left wing position (unhindered) towards where the action is.

Torres receives the ball from the right wing. This illustrates a pretty fluidic attacking one-third for Chelsea, with Hazard, Torres & Mata all on the right wing.

Hazard keeps Taylor occupied whilst Mata coming to right wing slightly disrupts Newcastle’s defensive organization.

The Finish.....

Torres receives the ball, heads towards goal, this prompts Santone to press him. Elsewhere (just out of the the image to the right) Mata speeds goal wards (yellow arrow), to take advantage of the pocket of space behind Santone.