Starting with Chelsea

Hi guys.

I'm pretty new to Football Manager (I've taken my Man Utd team to two Premier Leagues and Champions Leagues, but I've not yet delved into training, micromanaging etc). I want to play as a few good teams first, to learn the ropes, before picking up Swansea and going for it.

I've just started a Chelsea file, and it's clear there are one or two problem spots: an overabundance of strikers, no top-class right attacking midfielders, a weakness at right-back and no good backup to Ashley Cole.

I want to play two formations mostly: a 4-3-1-2 (Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole; Lampard, Mikel, Ramires; Mata; Torres, Drogba), and a 4-2-3-1 (Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole; Lampard, Ramires; Malouda, Mata, Anelka; Torres). The latter, though, is weak at right-midfield.

Does anyone have any good tips for starting with Chelsea? I'm mostly tempted by Xherdan Shaqiri, as he comes highly recommended on this board, but there's also Milos Krasic, Jefferson Farfan and Jose Sosa.

All advice is appreciated.

Ryan Bertrand is perfect cover for Ashley Cole and can easily replace him when once he retires.

Sell Nicolas Anelka (Offer him to clubs for £5m and Real Madrid or PSG will take him).

Re train Daniel Sturridge as an attacking right winger and he's a solid player who will score goals.

I have found 4-5-1 to be the most effective tactic with Chelsea.

Hope this helps, good luck...

i use 4-2-1-3
cech, ivanovic, alex, terry, a.cole, meireles, ramires, lampard, mata, drogba and torres played 10 won 10 i bought in eriksen from ajax who looks decent and did play bertrand in a game against birmingham and he done pretty well but if you want to buy a left back loan bertrand out or even just use him in fa/carling cup games. torres has looked good as well scored 4 goals in 4 games. i did re-sign maniche just for backup though but you needn't get him.
good luck though

Hey, I also started with Chelsea and after a year or so, I still cannot get Torres scoring regularly. It's strangely realistic. I have tried him with other STs and in all kinds of formations and in different player roles but I really am stuck. Any secret to get production from him??

Any help will be great.