Chelsea is known to have sneaked their way to the 4th position on the last game week of the last season. While for many clubs this would have considered being a success, Chelsea wasn’t satisfied yet. They went on to win the Champions League the same season. And started this season in quite the spectacular fashion, winning the UEFA Super Cup. While the club this season have signed Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan for a fee of £103.50m. The club looks to be the favourites to win the League this season.
What Formation Will Suit Chelsea This season?
Last season, since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea has played in a variation of the three at the back formations. Them being: –
- 3-4-2-1
- 3-1-4-2
- 3-4-1-2
Each formation was played based on the tactics the manager wanted to play. Mostly the club used the 3-4-2-1 as their go-to formation in the league. This season the club look to be rotation to a variation of a 3-4-1-2. This is mainly due to the signing of Romelu Lukaku. While having a flurry of attacking talent, the club will be routed to his philosophy while making sure they score more goals this season. Chelsea if they wish to win the league should play in a 3-4-1-2 or in a variation of it to take advantage of the talents of Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku.
Who Should the three Centre backs for Chelsea be?
In the 3-4-1-2 system, Chelsea would require a backline of defenders who can keep a high line while at the same time is tough and quick to cover the space when there is a lobbed through ball. The Centre back trio should be Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma. If Chelsea goes on to sign Jules Kounde this window, he would slot into the team instead of Kurt Zouma.
Antonio Rudiger was the focal point of the Chelsea backline last season. The player started 19 games last season on the Left Centre Back position within the squad. Last season the player had the highest successful tackles rate in the squad while scoring a goal. With his ability to progress with the ball forward, he helps to ask for an attacking outlet for the team from the defence. Thiago Silva is the veteran centre back who joined Chelsea last season on a free from PSG. Last season the player had the highest number of tackles and interceptions made by a defender in the team. He also had the second-highest successful pressing rate of 38.2% within the Chelsea Team.
Kurt Zouma would be the final centre back out of the three centre backs. The player last season scored 5 goals from the Centre back position. The French centre back has been reported to make a move away from the club. In my opinion, unless they have an apt replacement, the club shouldn’t rush to make the move.
Who Should The Midfield 4 Consist Of?
Chelsea tends to play a more lobbed sided formation. They prefer to attack more often on the right-hand side than the left depending on the wide midfielders. The Central midfield pivot must consist of Jorginho as well as N’Golo Kante. It would be wrong to change the midfield pairing which helped Chelsea win the Champions League Final.
N’Golo Kante last season made the highest number of tackles and interceptions within the squad. While having a successful pressures rate of 34.8%. According to his average position, the play could be seen making his presence known around the midfield. Jorginho last season won the Euros as well with Italy against England. The player had the second-highest number of tackles and interceptions behind Kante. He also had a pass completion rate of 89% and scored 8 penalties out of the 11 he attempted.
In the left mid-position, it would be Ben Chilwell. Last season the player scored 3 goals and assisted 5. He also had the highest number of successful crosses in the team at 31 which is more than double of any other player in the team. The player also attempted a total of 155 progressive passes and 1.6 tackles per game. In the right mid position, it would be Reece James. Last season he scored 1 and assisted 2 goals. The player made 1.7 tackles per 90 and had a dribble completion rate of 67%.
Who Will Be A Part Of The Attacking Trio Of Chelsea?
Chelsea currently has 4 players who can play the Central attacking midfielder position. The aptest for this system would be Mason Mount. Kai Havertz can play this role as well but Mason mount does help on the defensive side of the pitch. Last season the player made 2.1 tackles as well as 0.9 interceptions per 90. He also scored 6 goals and assisted 5 while passing 2.4 key passes per 90.
The Attacking duo on top would be Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner. While for many droppings Timo Werner would be the first suggestion in the box but there is a reason this system works with him. Romelu Lukaku last season scored 24 goals and assisted 11 in the Seria A. Romelu Lukaku since playing last time in the premier league has grown as a player. With immense pace as well as a physical presence. He can play as either a Target man or a player to run behind the defences.
Timo Werner this season could be the key for Chelsea to score more goals. Before arriving at Chelsea last season the player in the Bundesliga scored 28 goals and assisted 8. RB Leipzig played in a two striker formation with a target man and Timo Werner playing as the false striker who made runs into the defences. This season if Werner and Lukaku can build the Chemistry similar to Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez. Chelsea will easily win the League or do a double this season.
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