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Chelsea: Three things we’ve learnt from Tuchel’s team selection

By Gabe Henderson

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea celebrates with team mate Christian Pulisic after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea celebrates with team mate Christian Pulisic after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech (C) embraces Chelsea’s English striker Tammy Abraham (L) after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Chelsea at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on October 31, 2020. (Photo by ALEX LIVESEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech (C) embraces Chelsea’s English striker Tammy Abraham (L) after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Chelsea at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on October 31, 2020. (Photo by ALEX LIVESEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. The front line is a work in progress

Through two games, Tuchel has been able to begin another unbeaten run for the Blues. Chelsea has taken four points from its games against Burnley and Wolves, but only scored two goals, both of which were scored against the former. That return is pretty poor overall; in the end though, wins are wins. This matter gets a bit more concerning when you factor in the fact that both goals were scored by defenders, with goalazos courtesy of Azpilicueta and Alonso.

Part of the problem Lampard faced following his 17-game unbeaten run was the goals dried up for the Blues. For much of the season, Chelsea has relied on scoring from all over the pitch. The defenders all have a goal to their name, with all but James notching at least two. While Tammy Abraham, Timo Werner and Olivier Giroud lead the team in goals scored, they are simply too inconsistent to rely upon for every goal. Therefore, things can go from bad to worse in a matter of matches if other areas are not finding the back of the net. This begins and ends with the front line though.

Lampard was unable to get the best out of his star forwards; Werner and Havertz’s poor production being one of the reasons he was eventually sacked. Now, Tuchel has hardly had any time at all to instill his ideas, but the Blues aren’t firing on any cylinders—let alone all—just yet. The new gaffer has turned to multiple different combinations up top, using Abraham, Werner and Mason Mount against Burnley and Giroud, Havertz and Hakim Ziyech versus Wolves. Regardless, neither combination has particularly clicked. It’s likely we see the German continue to tinker with his front line in the coming weeks until he is able to find the best group at that point in time.

If Chelsea wants any chance at securing top four, all of the forwards and midfielders are going to need to find their form at some point. The Blues are simply too talented to be missing out and the blame will be directed at them if the squad fails to finish in the top four, rather than the reinvigorated defense.

Next. Chelsea: Alonso has the most to gain from Tuchel’s appointment. dark

What have you learned about the Blues thus far under Tuchel? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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