Chelsea FC influence is all over the World Cup quarterfinals
By Travis Tyler
Chelsea has eight of their original 14 players remaining in the World Cup. Chelsea’s influence is felt at the World Cup both tactically and individually.
Once upon a time, Chelsea was a squad full of international captains. The likes of Michael Essien, John Terry, Didier Drogba, and Michael Ballack all led their national sides while wearing Chelsea Blue. Chelsea was ever present at the World Cup on the pitch.
Even tactically, the Blues had a role to play. When Pep Guardiola’s style seeped into every aspect of the game, the counter to it was a style pioneered by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. It was the antithesis that could stop the likes of Spain and Germany when they were on full burn.
Though the Blues are not as influential on the international stage as they used to be, the club still has a great role to play at the World Cup. Eight of the original 14 World Cup Chelsea players remain in the tournament with the final well in sight. Tactically, the Blues have also influenced two of the quarter finalists.
On the left side of the bracket (also known as the “Bandwagon” side), Chelsea has N’Golo Kante, Olivier Giroud, Willian, Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard, and Michy Batshuayi. Unless Uruguay makes a run to the final, the Blues are all but guaranteed to have a finalist. Even more impressively, all but one of those players is generally a starter in this World Cup.
On the right side of the bracket (also known as the “Hipster” side), Chelsea’s eggs are all in England’s basket. Both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Gary Cahill have suited up for England this tournament, but it is unlikely either start again. There is also the possibility that the Blues will have Aleksandr Golovin to point to soon.
But tactically is where the influence is most interesting. Two years ago, many around the world would have said that three at the back formations were a thing of the past. Antonio Conte, lover of the 3-4-3 and 3-5-2, disagreed. The way the Blues played under Conte while using three at the back influenced sides around the world to adopt the same system.
Two sides in the World Cup quarterfinals have adopted the shape: Belgium with a 3-4-3 and England with a 3-5-2.
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez changed to the shape almost as soon as Conte did. It helped to cover for Belgium’s lack of great fullbacks while getting as many attackers on the pitch as possible (something that may be a detriment later, as they use wingers as wingbacks).
England manager Gareth Southgate waited until after World Cup qualifying had ended before fully committing to the shape. It should be no surprise that it coincided with Chelsea’s former assistant, Steve Holland, joining England on a full time basis. England’s 3-5-2 takes advantage of the countries abundance of center backs and bombarding fullbacks while covering for the absence of a playmaker.
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Chelsea has plenty of players to point to and be proud of this World Cup. Tactically, Conte’s revolution in 2016/2017 prompted two of this tournament’s favorites to adopt a similar tactic. Chelsea’s influence at the World Cup is not what it used to be, but it is very much still there.