Chelsea talking tactics: Southampton’s high press provides opportunity

Chelsea has struggled against teams deploying low blocks this season, but Southampton’s high line presents plenty of opportunities for the Blues.

With the interminable international break over—actually, there’s far too much international football bashing because without these breaks we wouldn’t have the World Cups, so grow up—Chelsea’s attention now turns to Southampton. Turning to face Southampton could, and should, offer a chance for the Blues to press forth with the attacking verve showed against Crystal Palace all those weeks ago. The Saints’ style of play is highly conducive to Frank Lampard’s brand of football.

Sure, his side likes to keep the ball, play it around with pace and probe for defensive holes. But at its best, the team is comprised of freewheeling counter-attackers bombing forward with aplomb and awareness, taking advantage of lapses in the line. That’s where players like Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Timo Werner thrive, those disjointed possessions where the shape of the game has momentarily disintegrated.

Hell, it’s not only them either. There are few greater sights in the world than N’Golo Kante rampaging up the center of the pitch; Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic aren’t such bad marauders themselves.

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Of course, Ralph Hasenhuttl would argue that his high press is designed to enable the complete opposite. It’s meant to cut off such options at the very moment they appear on the cards—and that’s fine. It’s even admirable, but it doesn’t mean it’s wholly effective. Look at the way Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham—yeah, Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham—was able to spring the trap and pummel the net at St. Mary’s last month.

Hasenhuttl would then likely point to the two subsequent victories over Burnley and West Brom, during which their press was honed, to which the response is: “Listen to that one back, Ralph.” Chris Wood is as far from Werner as Jake Livermore is from Kante. Chelsea is neither Burnley nor West Brom, but the Blues have been cut apart by the latter, and Callum Robinson is no Danny Ings.

Onto Saturday’s problematic subplot.

While the key protagonists will be hoping it doesn’t outshine the main storyline, there remains the possibility of an upset. Ings isn’t Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, but he’s scored thrice as many goals as the Gabon international this season. He’s capable of hurting teams just as deeply, with a similar combination of scrawny pace and punishing finishing, a union that’s wrought havoc against Chelsea’s fluctuating defensive line.

Think of Aubameyang’s part in the penalty in the FA Cup final loss, and picture Danny Ings instead—it’s the same painful result. Hell, his three years less in the legs might’ve got him the goal, regardless of any foul. See also almost any of the 24 goals he scored last season, though not the one against the Blues, which was merely an exhibition in pure front-post poachery. He also scored a bicycle kick on his debut international start last week, so there’s that.

There is a point, though it remains murkily undefined, where tactics go out the window when facing a player of such danger. You can’t control everything, but you can guard against it; do everything in your power to curb the threat. Keep the ball with purpose and stay vigilant off it. Don’t be afraid to play the Saints at their own game. Like, I don’t know, the inverse of last boxing day’s 2-0 defeat where the Seasiders pounced on poor defending—stretching the back four at will—and remaining resolute at the other end in the face of largely impotent possession. Just maybe leave the high lines for when it’s absolutely necessary; Thiago Silva is 36, after all.

What is a unique tactical aspect you’ll be watching out for in this match? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!