Chelsea’s left will be frightening with Chilwell, Mount and Pulisic

Chelsea’s left side has gargantuan potential with a new addition and the continued growth of a couple of Blues superstar youngsters.

We’ve already pinpointed reasons to be excited about the right side of Chelsea’s starting XI, now let’s turn the attention to the left. The three young players who are spotted there in the emerging favored 4-3-3 formation create a dynamic presence on that side. These individuals are established Premier League star Ben Chilwell at left back, the multi-role emerging wonderkid, Mason Mount, in the midfield and American Christian Pulisic on the wing. Facing this lethal left side is a chilling proposition for the Blues’ opponents to say the least.

Let’s take a look at each of these players and assess how they can help make Chelsea a champion again. Fortunately, they don’t have to undertake this mission alone. As noted, the right side has electric capability itself, and adding the left is downright unfair to opponents, but not to the Chelsea faithful.

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Starting at the back, the pursuit of Chilwell was extended and populated by up and downswings as to whether the talented, young English left back would actually make it into the blue of Chelsea or remain at Leicester City. Leicester played hard-ball as manager Brendan Rodgers and the rest of the management team seemed to want to refrain from strengthening the club in SW6. Astronomical figures for the transfer were cited, and Chelsea’s fans were ambivalent as to whether the left back would be worth the reported £80 million fee.

Certainly, in light of his seemingly less than superlative performance in the 2019/20 season, that figure was unrealistic. Yet, regardless, the word around Stamford Bridge was that manager Frank Lampard wanted the young Leicester ace and that was that. Lampard seemingly kept up his lobbying for Chilwell throughout the summer. Ultimately, a sizable—but much more realistic—sum of about £50 million was agreed with Leicester City and the gaffer’s target was aboard.

After overcoming an injury, Chilwell has taken over at left back (to no real surprise), surpassing both Marcos Alonso and Emerson for the spot. The pacy fullback wants to emulate the great Ashley Cole on that side and he’s set about to make the attempt. Chilwell has added a new and very clinical dimension to the position, which has been in flux for Chelsea since Cole’s departure. Multiple attempts to fill the slot have been made, including the aforementioned Alonso, Emerson and the short-term experiment with the now long-departed Filipe Luis. It is now clear that, absent injury, Chilwell will likely own the position for years to come.

Besides blistering pace, he is also showing a knack for scoring. In addition, his attacking demeanor and his link-up play with Mount is a tremendous asset going forward. Only the return of Pulisic is keeping this side from being whole, though slotting in either Timo Werner or Callum Hudson-Odoi is hardly be looked upon as settling for a substitute. Adding to Chilwell’s repertoire is his perhaps underestimated defensive ability, which is evolving nicely and contributing significantly to that essential part of his positional responsibilities. In short, Chilwell has been terrific and those in front of him have been, as well.

Covering the left-middle in the now more expected 4-3-3 is the 21-year-old Mount. Mount, in his second year with the first team, is blossoming into a very solid multi-role performer with abilities in both attack and defense. His best position—we’ve learned—is attacking midfield. Here, his unique combination of blistering pace and an incredible work-rate is the perfect complement to Kai Havertz—his opposite No. 8. While Havertz should be allowed the freedom to roam more in the attack, Mount’s work rate blends well with the brilliant German’s passing and shooting capabilities.

Lampard’s slotting in Mount opposite Havertz in that formation is spot on as it maximizes the talents of each of these two young, dynamic stars at Stamford Bridge. Mount gets to burst ahead when he is served the ball by Chilwell or drop back when the left back races forward. In addition, Mount can also provide assistance to N’Golo Kante in a defensive posture when Havertz, as he should be directed to do, becomes a flexible part of the attack. With Mount on the left, he can be afforded the opportunity to do so. Thus, Mount’s ability to run all game long delivers the flexibility to Lampard to utilize Havertz as he should be, as an adjunct to the forwards. That’s not even diving into the dangerous option in front of the midfield either.

Only one thing is keeping the left side somewhat tied down and that’s Pulisic’s injury history. Since the restart last season, the American has been absolutely immense. He has been a force to be reckoned with as he adapts to a new, more direct attacking style, as Lampard called it. This new approach has turned Pulisic from a good complementary player into a dangerous attack-first threat who will be left unattended or unmarked at an opponent’s risk.

It was interesting and instructive to see how the suspension allowed Pulisic to alter his playing style so dramatically that it literally transformed him as a Chelsea attacker. He is a scintillating addition to a Chelsea front line that can tangle with the best in the Premier League, in Europe and anywhere else, for that matter.

Chelsea’s fans look forward to seeing all three young, pacy, talented left side players fit and playing together often. Only when they—along with Havertz—are all playing together will fans be able to witness the full magnitude of Chelsea’s new attack unleashed. They have not had the chance to coalesce and grow together as the dazzling unit that can ultimately emerge, but they will. Meanwhile, the Chelsea faithful wait and hope that, for perhaps the first time all season, they will be on the field together for an extended period.

Now that you’ve heard all about the left and right, which side will be more lethal for Chelsea as the season progresses? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!