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Chelsea: Three things to look for at Barnsley, a 4-4-2 perhaps?

By Gabe Henderson

Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz (R) celebrates with Chelsea's English striker Tammy Abraham (L) and Chelsea's English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (R) after scoring his team's fourth goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge in London on September 23, 2020. (Photo by Alastair Grant / 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 ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz (R) celebrates with Chelsea's English striker Tammy Abraham (L) and Chelsea's English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (R) after scoring his team's fourth goal during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge in London on September 23, 2020. (Photo by Alastair Grant / 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 ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 04: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea embraces Mason Mount of Chelsea following the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 04, 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 Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 04: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea embraces Mason Mount of Chelsea following the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 04, 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 Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

2. Formation

Tuchel’s undoubtedly preferred different variations of the 3-4-3 to any other formation during his early days at Chelsea. He’s not strayed away from the tactical set-up yet, but then again, he hasn’t had much of a reason to. The Blues are unbeaten under Tuchel thus far, racking up three wins and a single draw. All of that being said, the performances haven’t exactly been convincing. Chelsea has come down to the wire against Tottenham and Sheffield United after failing to break down a compact Wolves defense in the German’s first game in charge. The Blues’ only “dominant” win was over Burnley, which isn’t exactly something to be celebrated.

The next few weeks will test the team though. Following Barnsley and Newcastle, Chelsea goes on a run and faces Southampton, Atletico Madrid (x2), Man United, Everton, Leeds and Liverpool. If the Blues haven’t been able to string together convincing victories against the struggling opposition in recent weeks, it’s difficult to imagine them getting many results in that period. Therefore, the next two matches represent the last chance for Tuchel and his staff to tweak the team ahead of that stretch of daunting fixtures. This starts with Barnsley as the Tykes represent the least formidable foe.

Tuchel’s flirted with a two-striker system at times in recent games and this may be his only chance to test it out for a full 90 minutes. The Blues need to get their strikers into form before a tough run of games, but it also represents the opportunity to get more attackers involved. Further, a formational rotation allows for Chelsea’s best fullbacks—Ben Chilwell and Reece James—to get back into the side. It also leaves the door open for N’Golo Kante to play in a less-demanding contest to get back to full fitness and match form. There are many benefits to a formational tweak, but it’s unclear whether Tuchel will go in that direction. In all likelihood though, he deploys his team in a 3-4-3 and the Blues stick in that shape for the remainder of the season.

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