Chelsea talking tactics: Blues opener with Brighton and Hove Albion

Chelsea will be welcomed back to competitive action by Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday, but what tactics will be put into place by both sides?

Premier League football returned faster than one can say “Marina Granovskaia”. The Chelsea transfer chief will be eagerly watching her handy work in action as the Blues take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday evening in the opening Premier League fixture of the 2020/21 season.

This will be a repeat of the friendly fixture that the pair played out just a couple of weeks ago in preparation for their imminent competitive clash. 1-1 was the final score as the Seagulls scored a 90th-minute equaliser to dampen the homecoming of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.

All attentions will turn to the Amex Community Stadium once again, with so much more on the line than just settling in a few new faces. Frank Lampard will look to overcome fellow exciting English coach Graham Potter during a possibly enthralling tactical battle. That recent draw gave a glimpse into the styles that either manager might want to replicate or alter slightly. Chelsea opted for a 4-2-3-1, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek the closest player to Werner, whilst Brighton began with a 5-3-2, limiting the Blues to very few clear-cut chances.

Potter has demonstrated his versatility in revising his formations, yet he mainly favored a three-man defense with wing-backs. This not only allows a solid platform for the Seagulls’ possession-based approach, but also more bodies further afield to begin their high press.

On this basis, similarities can be made between Potter’s Brighton and Lampard’s Chelsea. The latter also relies on his players to hassle and harry opposing defenders close to their own area. As the Seagulls’ centerbacks are not known for their mobility, one false move and the Blues’ electric forwards could well capitalise and punish. With potential starts for Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic, alongside the willingness of Werner, Brighton’s back line will have to have its wits about it.

This is a crucial factor, especially seeing as Potter has installed a build from the back system, moving away from the pragmatic football previously played under Chris Hughton. Lewis Dunk, Ben Webster, Ben White and Dan Burn are all confident on the ball and will look for a pass out wide, or at least into the channels, if they are offered time by Chelsea’s attackers.

Lampard’s formation can now be tied into the tactics of the match. As Brighton attempt to swiftly shift the play into the wings, Chelsea needs numbers to fill those particular spaces. Therefore, Lampard may also select a variation on the 3-4-3, using Reece James and Marcos Alonso as wing-backs to engage in cutting out this avenue for the hosts. Support will then need to be provided from midfield, an issue that can be solved by N’Golo Kante.

Kai Havertz will have an extremely interesting role to fill if he is partnered alongside the Frenchman, as well. The German star is arguably the Blues’ most creative force with Ziyech now absent through injury, and Lampard will want him to join the attack wherever possible because of his goalscoring threat. Brighton look to compact the middle and form a low block when defending; therefore, Havertz’s potency to break from deep could be crucial if the Blues are to break down the Brighton rearguard.

Potter has not entirely drifted away from Hughton’s methods, however. They are not averse to going long, thanks to the passing ability of his defenders. Neal Maupay is quick and not afraid to throw his body around—just ask Bernd Leno—which is not an easy threat to keep under wraps. Thiago Siva will be a big miss in this aspect, and Cesar Azpilicueta is not a guaranteed starter after recently recovering from a hamstring problem. Thus, a trio or pairing of either Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen or Antonio Rudiger will have its work cut out for it.

During its previous league encounter, another that finished 1-1, Brighton looked most dangerous from crosses into the box and set pieces. The Seagulls’ leveler was scored in acrobatic fashion by Allierza Jahanbakhsh after disruption was caused by a corner. Potter will look to profit from the same kind of intimidation now as Chelsea is still without an overriding physical presence. Ironically, the Blues’ opener also came from a corner, and with the new aerial strength of Havertz, this could also be a strategy for success.

In terms of Chelsea’s advances, Lampard’s side will seek to burst its way through at break-neck speed. Mateo Kovacic and Ziyech’s technical company will be missed, but Callum Hudson-Odoi adds a direct dimension, as does Loftus-Cheek. That is, if the English midfielder is selected, which is certainly an avenue Chelsea may have to explore if it is unable to find its passing combinations early on.

This will not be a straight forward shoot-out for the Blues and they will be made to fight for the three points. Expect either a moment of magic or mayhem to be the difference.