The Pride of London
Fansided

Chelsea predicted XI at Sheffield: Tuchel’s 3-4-3 has passed the test

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Ben Osborn of Sheffield United and Reece James of Chelsea challenge for the ball during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Chelsea FC at Bramall Lane on July 11, 2020 in Sheffield, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Ben Osborn of Sheffield United and Reece James of Chelsea challenge for the ball during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Chelsea FC at Bramall Lane on July 11, 2020 in Sheffield, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 07: Edouard Mendy of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on November 07, 2020 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 Ben Stansall – Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 07: Edouard Mendy of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on November 07, 2020 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 Ben Stansall – Pool/Getty Images) /

Chelsea finally beat a big six team and Thomas Tuchel’s 3-4-3 passed the big test. The Blues have played a bottom tier team, a mid table team and a top six team under Tuchel and have conceded no goals, scoring three during that span. The German is still deciding what his best team is, and until he gives everyone a chance, he won’t make a conclusion just yet. Sheffield United sit bottom of the Premier League table, but here’s who we think Tuchel selects to see off Sheffield United:

Edouard Mendy (No. 16) Goalkeeper, Senegal

Edouard Mendy has faced 12 shots, two shots on target and conceded zero goals so far under Tuchel. He has earned three clean sheets, finding his early season form. Mendy has played very well overall for Chelsea. He has calmed the defense and has made sure to neutralize many threats from crosses by collecting them. Kepa Arrizabalaga is now the cup keeper, and if Mendy continues to play this well, Arrizabalaga would be cup keeper for quite a while.

Cesar Azpilicueta (No. 28) Centerback, Spain

Cesar Azpilicueta has been solid and he hasn’t given Tuchel any reason to drop him. The Spaniard has been as solid as he was in the 2016/17 title winning season when Antonio Conte deployed him as a centerback in a back three. He even scored a wonder-goal in the 2-0 Burnley win. Even during Chelsea’s eight-game rot, the two wins came with Azpilicueta on the pitch. His influence on the team cannot be overstated—he epitomizes Chelsea.

Andreas Christensen (No. 4) Centerback, Denmark

Andreas Christensen stepped in when Thiago Silva went down injured against Tottenham. He did enough to secure the clean sheet; his distribution was OK. The Dane also made two interceptions and two clearances. Kurt Zouma may still not be fit and Christensen should be comfortable against Sheffield. The switch to three centerbacks will benefit Christensen as there’ll be less load on him and less space that he’d be responsible for.

Antonio Rudiger (No. 2) Centerback, Germany

Antonio Rudiger has been satisfactory so far under Tuchel. Many fans are bitter towards the German, but he’s getting results on the pitch and that’s all that matters. The Sheffield contest is likely to be more comfortable for the centerback trio than previous games. Rudiger is Chelsea’s tallest starting defender at the moment and should be more of an offensive threat in set pieces. Since Zouma was pulled from the side, the Blues’ chances from set pieces have reduced significantly.

Home/Premier League