CHELSEA could line up with a bold new look if they make Kieran McKenna their next manager while also signing stars like Victor Osimhen.
38-year-old gaffer McKenna has worked wonders at Ipswich Town, securing back-to-back promotions after a second-place finish in the Championship.
And he is one of the favourites to take charge at Chelsea following Mauricio Pochettino’s shock departure.
Should McKenna move to Stamford Bridge, he would likely deploy his favoured 4-2-3-1 system which worked wonders in England’s second and third tiers.
The possession-heavy system relies on short, sharp passes and fluidity in the final third, as well as a solid double pivot in midfield.
McKenna’s left-back often pushes high to create a four-man attack behind the striker, with the right-back dropping in to create a three-man defence.
The two midfielders stay deep, while the left winger moves inside to become a second striker.
This is different to Pochettino’s version of the same system, which saw the left-back invert into midfield.
That pushed one of the 6s up as a ’false 10', keeping the left forward out wide.
And with a few additions, McKenna’s amazing take on a classic shape could work wonders with Chelsea’s squad.
Djordje Petrovic’s impressive debut season negates the need for a new goalkeeper, so he would retain the No1 jersey.
At right-back, a fully-fit Reece James edges out Malo Gusto, especially as he may be required to defend more than usual.
Levi Colwill’s undoubted potential should see him become first-choice next season.
But with Trevoh Chalobah set to be sold, and Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile still underwhelming, a new centre-back will be needed.
Wesley Fofana’s proneness to long-term injuries makes this a real necessity too.
And Chelsea could swoop for highly-rated Sporting Lisbon star Ousmane Diomande, already a Portuguese league winner and AFCON champ with Ivory Coast at the age of 20.
A new left-back is also needed, with Ben Chilwell enduring another injury-plagued season and Marc Cucurella also reportedly up for sale.
Step forward Alphonso Davies, who has been on Chelsea’s radar all season.
The Canadian’s Bayern Munich deal expires in 2025, with Davies so far resisting the urge to pen an extension.
He had been hoping for a summer switch to Real Madrid, but reports claim the Spaniards have ended their interest.
And that opens the door for Chelsea to pounce, with Davies’ incredible speed and eye for goal making him an ideal candidate to bomb forward down the left and join the attack.
In midfield, with Conor Gallagher likely to go due to his contract situation, it should be a simple choice for McKenna.
Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are yet to click together, but have shown their individual qualities on other occasions.
The midfield pivot is a key part of McKenna’s system, and he will make it a priority to drill the duo into finally looking like a £200million pairing.
Further forward, Cole Palmer will go straight into the side as the No10 after his incredible debut season which ended with the Prem’s Young Player of the Year award.
Christopher Nkunku could then be deployed on the left, allowing him to constantly drift inside as a secondary striker with Davies providing the width.
And on the right, McKenna could turn to Omari Hutchinson, who was on Ipswich at loan this season and played a huge role in promotion.
The ex-Arsenal ace has already expressed his desire to remain with the Tractor Boys for another term.
But should McKenna head straight to west London, Hutchinson would surely be desperate to stay put and fight Noni Madueke to stay wide on the right.
Finally, it’s no secret Chelsea need a new striker, despite Nicolas Jackson’s decent first campaign.
Rival fans have for years feared the prospect of a 30-plus goal hero finishing off the constant chances carved out by Chelsea’s playmakers, which have been constantly squandered by a string of dud forwards.
And the time is finally right for the ownership to go all out for Napoli star Osimhen, who is one of European football’s most clinical finishers.
He has 76 goals in 132 games for his club, including 31 strikes in the 2022/23 campaign.
And McKenna would likely be left salivating at the prospect of the £100m man roaming free in the opposition box.