José’s Midfield Machine 2.0
(6 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)
Loading ...Here is my take on José’s midfield pairing of David Luiz and Nemanja Matic. Are they the future? I think so. As always you can follow me on twitter here and the POA account here. Thank you.
On the 31st January 2011 Chelsea parted with £21m and Nemanja Matić to capture Benfica’s talismanic centre-back David Luiz. The swashbuckling Brazilian has featured prominently since his arrival and while his suitability as a long-term centre-back is debatable his footballing ability is not. Matić, on the other hand, left Chelsea without fanfare and under the guidance of Jorge Jesus quietly reinvented himself as a quality holding midfielder.
Football often works in mysterious ways and Mourinho is the master of this masquerade. His push to re-sign Matić, despite the fee and the obvious questions arising thereafter, can rightfully be argued as the signing of the season. Mourinho’s use of David Luiz as a box-to-box destroyer, free from the tactical constraints of a pure holding role, has been masterful. Chelsea’s midfield suddenly possesses both bite and technical quality. Moreover, the burgeoning partnership of Luiz and Matić has proven crucial in victories against Manchester City and Arsenal.
In a world of pivots and pressing the balance between both central midfielders is crucial. Playing two defensive minded players leads to a drastically slow tempo when in possession. Operating with two attacking players means your midfield might as well not exist if you lose the ball. Even mixing things up between a holding and attacking player requires perceptive management and a delicate balancing act. To play the role as Mourinho intends requires a precise blend of technique and power.
Mourinho patently wants his team to press high up the pitch and destroy the rhythm of the opposition where possible. His use of Willian, Matić and Luiz to pincer Yaya Touré at the Etihad and his instructions to hunt Arsenal’s midfield are testament to this philosophy. Luiz and Matić‘s ability to control a powerful midfield like City’s and a technical midfield like Arsenal is precisely what Mourinho has been looking to implement all season.
Look at the below defensive actions from the midfield third into Arsenal’s half. There is a clear plan to pressure and contend as much as possible. Even if a completed tackle/interception is not the end result, the disruption caused and invariable backward passes that this pressure produces is vital to our dominance.
Luiz and Matić possess such a breadth of quality that Mourinho must surely now consider them his first choice pairing. Matić’s contribution should not only be judged on his own immaculate performance level, but the tangible effect he has on Luiz. In our games against City and Arsenal the mercurial Brazilian was outstanding and this was largely down to Matić. Those familiar with Luiz’s level of play for Brazil will note the same effect Thiago Silva has on him. When paired with Matić the rashness disappears as does the tendency to try and force the play. We have not only bought one of the best midfielders in Europe for a pittance (Fellaini cost £7m more!) but also found a player who helps get the best out of David Luiz.
Whether it is some inherent Benfica connection or just natural chemistry their understanding is exceptional. Luiz is tasked with hunting the ball in the first instance and he frequently disrupts the opposition when he presses. Whether he forces a backwards pass, concedes a free-kick or simply disrupts a move he is incredibly effective in this role.
In the case of him over pursuing the ball, Matić steps up into the vacated space and invariably wins possession. Matić is also superb at pressing the ball and winning possession: Schürrle’s goal against Arsenal was a textbook case of this in practice. When all this is combined with the superb tactical work of Willian and Oscar, it is almost impossible to play against.
José’s deployment of Luiz is particularly interesting. The notion that Luiz must be a defensive minded midfielder because he is a centre-back by trade has immediately been tossed to the side. There are not many footballers in world football who possess Luiz’s size and technique. When you add in his desire and ability to regain possession you see the reason why Mourinho stated after the Arsenal game that “[he] liked David in midfield. [He] liked him a lot there”.
Everything good about the Brazilian’s game seemingly clicks when placed in this destroyer role next to Matić. His distribution was immaculate against Arsenal and the risky passes he often plays out of frustration faded away. In fact the only long pass he played that did not connect was because Schürrle was offside, otherwise he was 7/7 for passes over 30 yards. Some crisp shooting and a plethora of meaningful drives through midfield rounded out his performance.
It is the intangible things he brings, those you cannot statistically quantity, which are apparent when in the stadium. Luiz is a leader and his energy and general lunacy are weapons for Mourinho to use. He harries, he niggles and he dominates. None of this is achievable, though, without Nemanja Matić.
You cannot overstate the importance of Matić’s impact at Chelsea since arriving in January. His transformation whilst at Benfica was immense to watch. Anyone pretending that Chelsea let a complete central midfielder leave as a makeweight are having you on. Matić arrived at Benfica a tall advanced playmaker, who slowly redefined his role to become one of the best players in Europe.
He is proactive without the ball and a quite unbelievable tackler; the way he gets a slight nick on the ball and quickly plays the ball forward is brilliant. Have you seen anyone consistently get the better of Touré? Or, to take it one step further, completely negate and outplay the Ivorian? The scariest part of that performance was that Matić looked like he was barely trying. There is a clinical quality about Matić that translates to utter midfield dominance when he plays. Again, while he has been a joy to watch, I feel his best performances have come when he is paired with Luiz in midfield.
There are certain moments of play each season that you can really tell what a player is about. As Matić plays an inch perfect pass to Mohamed Salah for the Egyptians first goal what does he do? Personally, I would sit and admire my wonderful pass. Matić? He is immediately looking left and right to assess the danger and space around him. Within seconds of playing a superb chipped through ball he is looking where to best position himself for a possible counterattack. It is that level of responsibility and tactical acumen that will cement Matić as an elite central midfielder for the next five years. It is why Mourinho wanted him and why the club re-signed him.
Matić is the embodiment of modern central midfield play. Tall, powerful, technically exquisite, blessed with superb vision and a perfect understanding of when to press and when to hold: he is already the best player of his type in the league. Personally, I like his aggression when in possession. The Hollywood pass most certainly exists in his locker, but it is the short crisp forward passing that really sets our tempo at a high pace. Looking at his forward passes below the majority are incisive balls that reach their target quickly, allowing the recipient to actually do something with the ball.
So what does the future hold for the Luiz and Matić combination in midfield? Mourinho has picked the pair, when fit, in two of our biggest games this season and had the greatest effect. The pair give Mourinho a range of abilities that no other players currently at the club possess. Their perfect understanding defensively combines well with every player around them. They set the tone and dictate the waves of pressing, allowing the likes of Oscar and Willian/Schürrle to get after the ball in complete security of the wall behind them.
More than this, the quality they have in possession is a real game changer. This calmer version of Luiz hitting 40 yard passes, driving through midfield and dictating the course of the game is a joy to watch. Likewise, the structure and artistry Matić brings to what is by nature a gritty and defensive role has transformed this side. Mourinho must be looking towards next season with a smile on his face. While things took a little while to click, even without a striker I am confident that our post-January transformation would have won us the league.
I would still like to persist with the idea that we target another central midfielder in the summer. Though, having two absolute tanks with prodigious quality is certainly making us look the part. José may decide that while Luiz is a classy international centre back he is better suited to being a box-to-box midfielder in the Premier League. If Matić can evoke the types of performances we have seen from the Brazilian against City and Arsenal (Luiz was also unreal against Liverpool, pre-Matić) it should be something we entertain as a long-term solution. Refinement is now the key.
The amalgam of Matić’s nous and Luiz’s rambunctious gusto is an extremely powerful tool for Mourinho 2.0 to unleash when required. If José can convert Luiz into a full-time midfielder and pair him regularly with Matić we will be extremely robust next season. There is so much more to come from both of them and Mourinho’s stewardship is only going to catalyse their development. Add an extremely talented rotational option and you have a midfield trio capable of beating anything in Europe. A top striker, maybe a left-back added in the mix and a sprinkle of some academy players for depth? Things continue to look really bright and this midfield machine are leading the way.
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It does look a tasty combination. Seems to have clicked so far.
Love Matic sending those crisp forward passes. Such a refreshing change from seeing Mikel fannying around then knocking it square to the next blue shirt.
I feel the time is up for Obi. Unfortunately the pot of gold turned out to be more than a pot of bronze.
Many good points. Luiz did actually play as a pure DM away at Hull and did a great job, and was very impressive alongside Lampard against Liverpool.
With the pair in the side, there is far more height in the XI and long-term, this may allow Mourinho to sign/play a shorter, more dynamic left back and move Azpilicueta back to right back. Ivanovic has his weaknesses, but he’s had an excellent season and is so important to giving us the right profile XI for the Premier League. However, a Luke Shaw left back could improve our attacking play, and without height in other areas of the team, we open ourselves up to losing games on set-pieces. With two tall, aerially strong CM’s, this issue is negated.
Lastly, but a few months back I felt we were very reliant on Ramires for his dynamism is central areas. Since the arrival of Matic, Luiz’s use in midfield and also Willian’s excellent form when used as the number 10 (the position where he has performed the best), we are no longer reliant on Ramires and he’s arguably not in our best team in his current form.
Luke Shaw is a big man. At least 6ft and 75kg. Not really sure what your second point is.
Really great article. Ive been really impr3ssed with Matic. And davids really playing good next to him. They give you nothing. They tough ruthless and creative. Just how jose likes it. John obi is still a good back up he isn as much as creative bt he his solid, he doesnt ever loose the ball perfect at running down and killing the game. I remember jose saying if Mikel loses the ball its a miracle. dnt think we need shaw they. Cesar is the perfect fit for left back. Dnt thinking leaving brani out of the starting 11 will help us. As he too has speed and its very difficult to beat, and gets forward at will. Many tyms his connecting play through the channels. All we need is a robust centre forward. Sum1 that can shoot at will connect play. And beat his man. D.Coasta.
Nice article. One thing we can all agree is that when paired with Matic, Luiz’s erractic passes have lessened. Those passes were frustating to watch.
Luiz’s passing has always been world class. What are these erratic passing you talk of?
He is a proactive defender, unlike Cahill’s reactive self. Luiz has only been erratic in the sense that he is often caught out of position, leaving Terry to deal with more than he should have to. Luiz arguably has the vision of the great 90s midfielders and hence his passing (both long and short) has always been impeccable. Under Rafa Benitez, he was used as a holding midfielder, where his erratic nature was exposed. He is clearly better suited as a B2B than a holding midfielder.
Excellent article, well thought out and constructed.
Matic isn’t quite the finished article yet though, there are still times when he gets caught in possession or misplaces a pass in a dangerous area, but that goes with the position. I agree that he has brought the best out of Luiz in the same way as JT did when Luiz played at Centre half, Luiz is so athletic and good at running at the opposition with with the ball that he was wasted at centre half, and of course logic dictates that in the long run a mistake further up the pitch will not be as costly as one at the back.
I see a lot of similarities in the way the team is being structured to the Bayern team of last year, false press if neccessary and worry the opposition into making mistakes. Luiz, Matic, Willian, Ramires, Oscar are like a swarm of wasps around the opposition - draw them in and then blizzkrieg them on the break, with Salah’s speed this could be scary, if his final decision making and one on one finishing improves. Then there is a certain little Belgian wizard to benefit from the industry.
With Costa or Lukaku as the spearhead the future looks rosy, although I strongly disagree with buying in an alternative to Matic or Luiz however, Van Ginkel should be given a chance as should Nat Chalobah.
All the best Mark
Great article. But We should not Forget Van Ginkel?
Nice write up. I think the pair are made for each other. simple as that
Hi Joe
Just read your thought provoking article on Gael Kakuta and I can understand both Buddha’s points and your own. FFP is the elephant in the house, if UEFA should ban City and PSG, (which I very much doubt) then our policy of loaning players out to make a profit makes perfect sense and you can hardly argue with the logic, when you consider the De Bruyne case.
Yet De Bruyne shows just how hard it is for a youngster to break through from the academy, when an experienced full international, who took the Bundesliga by storm, struggled to make the bench, if De Bruyne couldn’t cut the ice what chance do the academy players have if they are not sent out on loan and given a chance to show what they can do?
Using Bertrand as the blueprint, if he goes in the summer (as appears likely), that’s another £10 mill towards FFP break even. The downside is will Bertrand goes on to become another Sturridge, or in this case Ashley Cole, once he is given a few seasons of regular football, plus another English player has left. Let’s hope that this time we have the sense to include a sell on clause. When we signed Romeu there was a buy back cause, maybe that’s the way to go, if we had done so with Matic, perhaps we could have re signed him for half the price we eventually paid.
The case of Miroslav Stoch was a strange one to me, he was sensational in the Eredevisie and I was really looking forward to seeing him at the Bridge and all of a sudden he was gone for a ridiculously small fee. Stoch was playing in an excellent footballing culture as have several of our youngsters in recent years, but they have still failed to make the breakthrough at Chelsea. The example of Van Holt and Shaw is a good one, but one of the factors at the moment is our lack of home grown players in the squad, which may actually work to the advantage of the younger players next year, especially if Frank and Ashley leave.
The derogatory comments from both yourself and Buddha about the Championship are surprising. Very few teams play like Wimbledon anymore and since the tackle from behind was outlawed it has not been a cloggers league for some time. Brighton, Watford and Leicester in particular play a slick passing game that would put a few Premiership teams to shame and People forget that the Welsh Barcelona were a Division two team a few years ago.
I agree that we need another central midfielder, but if Mata couldn’t get a look in who is going to want to join us? If Oscar is on song, you are talking about a top class central midfielder warming the bench, I’d rather see Lewis Baker, Loftus Cheek or Traore given a chance. The domestic cups will surely have to be used as the test ground for the youngsters next year, I’d like to see Jose say at the beginning of the season that the youngsters will get a decent run in the cups and ask for the fans patience if it doesn’t yield immediate results. We all want to see the academy players coming through and this would be a big step forward.
Brilliant article Joe. Really enjoyed it.
As for bringing in a new midfielder in the summer, I wonder if Barkley could work. I am not sure if he can play in a midfield 2, but if he can, he could provide top class cover in central and attacking midfield, and should be a world class player very soon. He’d be the future of our central midfield, and he’d be a good understudy to Luiz, until he inevitably surpasses him. He’s also tall and strong, and would add another physical piece to an already imposing puzzle I feel. Plus, I’m not averse to signing talented English players. We could really use a couple in the future due to the league’s squad requirements.
This all depends on whether Barkley is defensively able to play in a midfield 2 though. Truthfully I don’t have a clue if he is, as I’ve never seen him play there. He does appear to have defensive capabilities to some degree though, like Oscar. And comparisons to Ballack are heartening.
I think Chelsea fans referring to David Luiz as a ‘box to box destroyer’, are really only kidding themselves. He is an incredible athlete and technically brilliant at times but tactically he is average and I think we should be honest about how much he can contribute in midfield for Chelsea on a permanent basis.
Against the better sides who’ll look to press hard and high up against us, Luiz and Matic played together makes a lot of sense, for all the reasons well highlighted above. But against the majority of teams, I think Ramires is the more feasible partner for Matic long term. He’s MUCH smarter with his movement and positioning going forwards; his poor form this calendar year shouldn’t detract from how consistent he’s been since his arrival either.
Ultimately I suppose it’s good to have such a range of options with different qualities for the manager to select from. The midfield looks to be in good shape for a long time to come & Matic will surely go down as one of the greatest signings we’ve ever made.
I certainly think Mourinho would contend your assertion that Luiz is tactically average. He played him against sides where his instructions would be precise; the necessity to carry these out exactly as dictated was paramount. The majority of teams, i.e. sides we have struggled against this season, have featured Ramires. It is no coincidence his lack of quality on the ball is a prime reason we falter so much against compact teams.
It’s a difficult balancing act, to combine the right qualities in the centre of midfield. Ramires hasn’t had a very good 2014 so far but I think Mourinho would also contend with your assertion that Luiz is the smarter tactical choice to partner Matic, given it’s Ramires who’s started every single game in that position, whenever he’s been available.
Yesterday’s defeat at Selhurst is strong evidence also, that for whatever reason we struggle against compact teams, it goes deeper than Ramires’ technical inadequacies.