How could Chelsea line up this season?

With Hazard and Marin already in, and Hulk, Oscar and Debuchy in the radar, the squad has got a much needed injection of youth in it. However, much is speculated as to how Chelsea would form the starting lineup. Here is my take on the possible formations of Chelsea.

(I've posted this considering Debuchy and Hulk are purchased. On the contrary, Maicon/Azpilicueta and Moses may also end up with the team in their place...)

1. Most Probable 4-2-3-1:
This is what is probably going to happen.With Drogba's departure, Torres is going to be used as the lone striker with three creative players behind him to poach the goals by releasing him. It will be exciting nonetheless to see how Sturridge and Lukaku take this in.


                            Cech

   Ivanovic     Luiz     Terry     Cole
 (Debuchy) (Cahill)            (Bertrand)

                  Mikel         Lampard
                (Essien)  (Raul Meireles)

Ramires              Hazard              Mata
 (Hulk)           (De Bruyne)        (Marin)

                             Torres
                   (Sturridge/Lukaku)


2. The Old 4-3-3 (Christmas Tree)
Since the Mourinho Era, Chelsea have played the 4-3-3 in most games, except a brief period when Ancelotti played his diamond.

                             Cech

    Ivanovic     Luiz     Terry     Cole
  (Debuchy) (Cahill)            (Bertrand)


   Ramires            Mikel         Lampard
(De Bruyne)   (Essien)  (Raul Meireles)


   Sturridge           Torres             Hazard
 (Hulk/Mata)    (Lukaku)     (Mata/Marin)


3. The Old Fashioned 4-4-2
As much as people like the tiki-taka and the false no 9 strategy, I still prefer the old fashioned 4-4-2 with two proper strikers up front. This will probably not be played as Mata and Hazard won't be able to start together, unless Hazard plays in the striker position.

                             Cech

       Ivanovic     Luiz     Terry     Cole
      (Debuchy) (Cahill)            (Bertrand)


    Ramires      Mikel      Lampard      Mata
(De Bruyne) (Essien)    (Meireles) (Hazard)


                 Sturridge           Torres
                   (Hulk)           (Lukaku)


4. The Attacking 4-2-2-2
Again, this won't be used as Hazard won't be guaranteed a starting position. However, it can still be used in emergencies.

                                Cech

       Ivanovic     Luiz     Terry     Cole
      (Debuchy) (Cahill)            (Bertrand)

                  Mikel         Lampard
                (Essien)  (Raul Meireles)

Ramires                                         Mata
 (Hulk)                                   (Hazard/Marin)

          Sturridge                   Torres
            (Hulk)            (Sturridge/Lukaku)


5. The Diamond: 4-1-2-1-2
Something which Ancelotti used in the first half of his first season. He eventually changed it to a 4-3-3 Christmas Tree upon Drogba's departure for the African Cup of Nations, and never came back to the diamond.

                                Cech

       Ivanovic     Luiz     Terry     Cole
      (Debuchy) (Cahill)            (Bertrand)

                              Mikel      
                            (Essien) 

Ramires                                         Lampard
(Essien)                                   (Hazard/Marin)
                              Mata
                    (Hazard/Meireles)

          Sturridge                   Torres
            (Hulk)            (Sturridge/Lukaku)


6. The Three-man Defense: 3-4-3
This is very, very unlikely, but I would like to see this happen nonetheless. This is the very formation Napoli (and many Italian teams) used to beat City, who had no clue as to what was happening!


                                Cech

                Ivanovic     Luiz     Terry
               (Debuchy) (Cahill) (Cole)


    Ramires      Mikel      Lampard         Cole
(De Bruyne) (Essien)    (Meireles) (Hazard/Mata)

   Sturridge           Torres             Mata
 (Hulk/Mata)      (Lukaku)  (Hazard/Marin)