So it looks like Carlo Ancelotti is keen on the 4-4-2 diamond formation, and by its record so far it would be hard to blame the Italian for wanting to persist.

It is quite possible to argue all day long about the pros and cons of certain formations, and there is nothing Old Blue Eyes enjoys more, so here are a few thoughts about this new shape.

1. It provides Frank Lampard (or whoever sits at the top of the diamond) almost absolute freedom when we are going forward, encouraging the England man to get in and around the penalty area and score goals. May's FA Cup Final winner was his 100th in five seasons, and there are very few forwards let alone midfielders who can get near that total.

2. It allows attacking width to come from the full-backs. Both have been encouraged to get forward and support attacks, and Ancelotti spoke after the Inter game of his pleasure at their doing so. Under Luiz Felipe Scolari they were also encouraged to attack, but found key areas of the field too congested, particularly at Stamford Bridge, due to the presence of their own wingers.

3. There are two front men, meaning two goal threats at all times. Previously Nicolas Anelka or Didier Drogba have a little too often been isolated, which means keeping the ball is difficult. With a partner it should make things easier. And to anyone who suggests Drogba is more effective as a lone forward, it is worth noting that in the season where he did have a partner, 2006/07, he scored 33 goals and bullied defenders everywhere he went. The pair are yet to feature together in pre-season so far, but have proved they can combine if given the chance.

It is a subtle move away from the 4-3-3 that has been employed by every coach since José Mourinho, perhaps unwilling to change what was a winning formula, but by bringing in his own system the Italian is also stamping his own mark on the Chelsea side, and it seems to be working.

While we're on the topic, it really was good to see José again, even if the match did not live up to the billing.

In typical Mourinho fashion, he surprised everybody by not speaking publicly around the game, instead 'allowing other members of his backroom staff to express themselves', which sounds a little like he didn't fancy answering a million and one questions about Chelsea. Fair enough, though OBE couldn't help but feel sorry for Chelsea TV when the Special One knocked back an interview, instead offering a smile, a shrug of the shoulders and a 'No, no, no, no, no'.

While many of his former players were queuing up to speak with Mourinho again, most of the 81,000 crowd (and wow, that was brilliant!) were there to see them, and among that number were a few A-listers hooked on the football buzz.

Before the game Alyssa Milano (an OBE favourite) was seen milling around pitchside, while Anchorman comedy legend Will Ferrell chatted with Chelsea staff before taking on his role of honorary captain.

Upstairs in the hospitality boxes Jordan Farmar, an NBA champion with the LA Lakers watched on, and was impressed by what he saw.

'I got an invite to come down, I am a big Chelsea fan and am always playing FIFA on the video games, so Drogba is my man,' he said.

'I haven't met him yet but I will meet him tonight so I am pretty excited. I got to see him score too so I'm pretty happy.'

He isn't the only one, as things continue to go well for us in the States. As we move to Maryland, the only hitch so far is Michael Ballack's toe injury which has forced him home early, but will not keep him from action for too long.

Around this point on the tour is when people may usually start to tire and crave home, but for Old Blue Eyes there is still plenty more to look forward to over the next few days.