Chelsea: Attacking power over everything else

Chelsea’s defense has looked significantly more solid recently, but what has that done to the attack and what solutions are there?

After four draws in five games, Frank Lampard has prioritized defending over all-out attacking. However, the team may need to overwhelmingly score more goals and use its attacking power over anything else in order to achieve better results throughout the remainder of this season.

In the past five games, Chelsea has managed to draw four matches and only win one. Two of those draws were due to poor defending, while other two were obtained by pragmatic tactics. However, the only win—against Crystal Palace—is the type of results Chelsea should be aiming for every week. The only way to achieve this is to overwhelm opponents with offensive prowess.
The main reason for this argument is that this season is an irregular one. Which means many of the top teams are dropping points, their defenses are shaky all around and it will be difficult for them to maintain consistency. In that regard, it will be beneficial for the Blues to sharpen an unstoppable attack.

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Now, this is not to say that defense isn’t important, because it is. The fact remains that Chelsea’s season is turning into an unpredictable one due to the lack of defensive assertiveness. Far too many times the centerbacks have made a mess of simple plays, left wide open spaces or were too casual when it comes to set pieces. Nevertheless, the solutions to these problems will come once the main defensive players establish themselves. Thus, gaining strong partnerships and coherent dynamics to stop the opposition.

But this isn’t about the defense; rather it is about the offense. Luckily for Chelsea, there are plenty of options to choose from in order to maximize the amount of goals the team scores per game.

The most noticeable change is the implementation of a partnership in the striker role. Lampard is currently utilizing Timo Werner as his main point of attack. While the German is an extremely talented striker, with speed and clinical finishing abilities, he needs someone who can help him maximize his potential. A dual striker partnership between Werner and Tammy Abraham or Olivier Giroud would allow for one player to hold the ball, and the other to make a run. Since Werner is the fastest of all three strikers, the team can benefit from this type of play in counter-attack.

However, if that is not an option, a double threat inside the box is always necessary. Marking two strikers is never easy for any defense. Especially when both have a particular set of skills, and yet are deadly from close range. In Theory, two strikers should allow more , and allow other players to focus on their roles. Meanwhile, creating a goal scoring machine for years to come.

This can also allow wingers to contribute in different roles. This is not about just providing crosses or through balls either. In this case, the wingers can play off the forwards. Thus, creating attacking threat by breaking high defensive lines. With players such as Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech on each side, a counterattack, or even a high press would be difficult to defend against. Both are quick, have great vision, and can finish from any angle. And, in the case of an injury of fatigue, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz/Mason Mount can fill in the spot.

Although other areas of the field would need adjusting, the holding midfield being the most important, Lampard should make the change to two strikers. And, thereby, freeing the wingers to take control of the game.

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It goes without saying that Chelsea will be at high risk of conceding goals, but defending is clearly not the team’s strong suit this season. If Chelsea struggles to keep a clean sheet, then the Blues must overcompensate by outscoring any opposition, and with the team sheet at hand, it does not seem impossible to achieve that every week.

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