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Chelsea predicted XI: Almost matching Burnley’s 4-4-2

By Vansh Ambashta

Chelsea's German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) reacts with Chelsea's Brazilian defender Thiago Silva at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in London on January 27, 2021. (Photo by Richard Heathcote / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by RICHARD HEATHCOTE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) reacts with Chelsea's Brazilian defender Thiago Silva at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in London on January 27, 2021. (Photo by Richard Heathcote / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by RICHARD HEATHCOTE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech (C) runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on August 29, 2020. – The game is a ‘pilot’ event where a small number of fans will be present on a socially-distanced basis. The aim is to get fans back into stadiums in the Premier League by October. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech (C) runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on August 29, 2020. – The game is a ‘pilot’ event where a small number of fans will be present on a socially-distanced basis. The aim is to get fans back into stadiums in the Premier League by October. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Hakim Ziyech, No. 22, Right Midfielder, Morocco

Hakim Ziyech has the ability to unlock any defense in the world on his day. Against Wolves, Ziyech played well as his exchanges with Hudson-Odoi on the right caused all sorts of problems. He pulled players out of position from the wing and then quickly released the ball to Hudson-Odoi who ran straight at his marker. Against low block teams like Burnley, Chelsea needs a player who isn’t afraid to put in precise balls over their backline. Ziyech will do just that and he should be grabbing an assist or two against the Clarets.

Jorginho, No. 5, Central midfielder, Italy

Jorginho is probably going to gain a lot from Tuchel’s appointment. The Italian midfielder was also linked to PSG where Tuchel was the manager at the beginning of the season. Against Wolves, Tuchel fielded Jorginho in a pivot alongside Kovacic. The pivot maintained the possession and was instrumental in the buildup play. However, it didn’t do much as far as creating chances is concerned. As the game went on, the number of side passes increased and the game became dull. Expect Jorginho to start another game against Burley.

Mason Mount, No. 19, Central midfielder, England

Mason Mount should be the first name on the team sheet every single game. There is a reason why Lampard was so fond of him, and Tuchel will find that out soon enough. Mount does things that might not look pretty to the naked eye, but they sure are a delight for a tactic savvy manager like Tuchel. The German manager has often emphasized on his counter pressing tactic and Mount is the one Chelsea player that presses ferociously. Mount must start against Burnley to provide the link between the defense and attack with Jorginho maintaining the temp.

Callum Hudson-Odoi, No.20, Left midfielder, England

Callum Hudson-Odoi was brilliant against Wolves. Most of Chelsea’s football went through the right channel where Hudson-Odoi started as a wingback. He seemed to thrive in the role and stretched the play wide for Chelsea. With Hakim Ziyech in an inverted position, Hudson-Odoi has the wing to himself and was never shy to take on a defender. It takes a lot of guts to field a young player in an extremely unfamiliar position, and Tuchel had the confidence to do that. What this shows is that he seems to believe in Hudson-Odoi immensely and the 20-year-old will definitely be a key player in the Tuchel era. Due to Burnley’s 4-4-2 shape, expect Tuchel to start Hudson-Odoi.

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