Chelsea’s midfield: Tiemoue Bakayoko at his best paired with Kante in 3-4-3

Tiemoue Bakayoko bounced back from his forgettable 45 minutes against West Ham to score the opening goal and lead Chelsea in defensive actions in the win over Huddersfield. The return of his partnership with N’Golo Kante in the 3-4-3 was a major contributor to his success against the Terriers.

Antonio Conte showed his trust in Tiemoue Bakayoko by starting the Frenchman against Huddersfield Town three days after withdrawing him at half-time against West Ham. Bakayoko repaid his manager by scoring his second goal of the season to send the Blues cruising towards victory. He also shared the team lead in tackles and interceptions, and led the team with seven total defensive actions (tackles, interceptions and clearances).

Tuesday’s game was the first time Bakayoko partnered N’Golo Kante in the 3-4-3 since the 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on September 27. In their previous game together in the 3-4-3, four days earlier against Stoke City, the Blues won 4-0.

Since then, Bakayoko either partnered Cesc Fabregas in the 3-4-3 when Kante was injured; or was part of a three-man midfield with Kante and either Fabregas or Danny Drinkwater. Chelsea dropped points in seven games in the Premier League and Champions League in that span: four losses and three draws. Bakayoko and Fabregas started together in midfield in each of those games save one draw. They won four games together in that stretch.

Tiemoue Bakayoko has to play two very different roles when playing with Fabregas, depending on the formation. If Bakayoko and Fabregas are together in the 3-4-3, Bakayoko has to play the N’Golo Kante role. He needs to be the tireless, omnipresent destroyer working the length and width of midfield. Fabregas plays a light supporting role on defence, but otherwise is a recycling option and playmaker. The two do not share the midfield in any meaningful defensive capacity.

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This leaves Bakayoko exposed, unless Chelsea’s wing-backs are able to hurry back and pinch inside to help interrupt counters. This compromises their ability to stay up on the play. Marcos Alonso pays the price because he is Chelsea’s most effective crosser from forward positions, as well as the best defensive wing-back. He can only do one of those things at a time, and Antonio Conte will demand he tend to the latter.

In the 3-5-2, Bakayoko has Kante to cover the defensive duties. But Bakayoko must now contribute more to Chelsea’s attack to compensate for the missing winger. Bakayoko’s athleticism and timing enables him to make strong runs into the box. But as he showed many times, he does not have the finishing touch to go with those Lampard-esque late arrivals. This takes a toll on his confidence, while drawing him away from the deeper defensive positions where he is more comfortable and more effective.

Alongside Kante in the 3-4-3, Bakayoko can play deeper, thrusting as necessary and as opportunity permits, with Kante securing his forward runs in midfield. Bakayoko plays his best when he splits the pitch with Kante, each taking one side and each covering the other’s moves forward.

This is similar to how Kante played with Nemanja Matic last season. The two midfielders were the centres of gravity for Chelsea’s play, altering their positions relative to one another and the rest of the squad but always preserving balance, flow and control.

Kante’s conservatism and urge to retreat to his covering position balances Bakayoko’s explosiveness on the ball and timing on the late runs. By the time Bakayoko senses the opportunity to spring forward, Kante has already returned to his defensive station, keeping the back-three protected at all times. The two players’ temperament, training and instinct make it all but impossible for them both to be caught out.

Danny Drinkwater appears a better match as the third midfielder in a 3-5-2 with Bakayoko and Kante. He can join the attack more comfortably, relieving Bakayoko of the pressure to move forward and allowing the Frenchmen to stay closer together in space and purpose.

Tiemoue Bakayoko came in for plenty of criticism after recent performances. Those showings were as much a product of the tactics and formation as they were his own abilities and application. Antonio Conte may not have all the players he needs, but he has enough subtle variations to find the right suit for any given opponent.

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Unfortunately, he and his players do not have much time this time of year to train for every nuance. Perhaps we should set the example for the board and give Conte as much time as he needs – years, even – to present a finished product.