Chelsea are a side that have looked unbeatable in the 2021/22 Premier League Campaign so far. This is mostly down to the work that Thomas Tuchel has done since his arrival in January 2021. The German tactics made an instant impact with good results and eventually won the UEFA Champions League with the team. Now in his first full season, Thomas Tuchel’s tactics at Chelsea have made the team early title favorites.
Having a close look at Tuchel’s Chelsea side, it is strongly built on a solid defensive structure and a flexible attacking shape.
The interesting thing about Tuchel’s side is how his philosophy has worked to gain good results within a short period. Looking back at Tuchel’s time at Paris Saint-Germain, his side had a different style of attacking players compared to what he has now. However, it seems the German’s tactics have worked better for Chelsea in less than a year than it did for Paris Saint-Germain in two years.
How have Thomas Tuchel’s tactics Made Chelsea Potentially Unbeatable?
Defensive Solidity
Thomas Tuchel’s tactics at Chelsea have been built on a good defensive structure with the 3-4-2-1 formation. The two holding midfielders play a crucial role in this set-up with the way they play on and off the ball. Off the ball, these two holding midfielders try to win the ball back as soon as it is given away. That is why Chelsea has conceded only three goals in the Premier League this season.
Jorginho and Kante/Kovacic are very crucial in making sure that the ball doesn’t reach Chelsea’s defensive lines. The pair of Jorginho and Kovacic is also very good on the ball and they contribute when the team builds from the back. Kante is a mobile player and can offer more as he can carry the ball higher up the pitch.
The wing-backs in Thomas Tuchel’s formation are also obliged to defensive duties when the team is under pressure. Chelsea usually reverts to a 5-3-2 when the team is under pressure. This highlights the flexibility of the German tactician.
However, Chelsea’s defensive stability is not all they have in their tank. There’s a system as to which the team plays on the attack.
Attacking freedom
Chelsea playing with two deep-holding midfielders means that they would need someone to link defense with the attack. Thomas Tuchel has the perfect fit for that in Mason Mount as his mobility helps Chelsea get into pockets of space. As a result, Werner and Havertz can also make good runs that make Chelsea open up their opponents. The mobility of Mount has influenced the 3-4-2-1 into looking like a 3-4-1-2.
This is the reason why Thomas Tuchel preferred using a ‘false nine’. As a result, he often selected Havertz and Werner ahead of target men Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham last season. Werner’s pace and mazy runs combined with the exploits of Havertz made Chelsea look more dangerous on the attack. Thomas Tuchel may have thought that the idea of a target man would provoke too many unnecessary crosses. This makes you wonder why Chelsea spent over 90 million pounds for Romelu Lukaku. One little piece of the puzzle the German has to fix; How best to use Lukaku.
Thomas Tuchel’s tactics at Chelsea missing just one thing
Now with the Purchase of Lukaku, Thomas Tuchel is struggling a little bit on how to use the striker. Antonio Conte, who worked with the striker last season at Inter, recently questioned Chelseas’s use of the Belgian striker. This is an issue Tuchel would be looking to solve going forward.
However, with Thomas Tuchel’s tactics at Chelsea bringing results and giving a title shout so far. The manager deserves the credits for his achievements with the team in less than one year.
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