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Chelsea: Three things to look for during the trip to Southampton

By Gabe Henderson

Chelsea's German striker Timo Werner reacts after scoring during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge in London on October 17, 2020. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / 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 BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's German striker Timo Werner reacts after scoring during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge in London on October 17, 2020. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / 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 BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel celebrates at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 4, 2021. (Photo by CLIVE ROSE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel celebrates at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 4, 2021. (Photo by CLIVE ROSE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Chelsea got the week off to a great start with a win and a clean sheet at Newcastle. The three points lifted Thomas Tuchel’s side into the top four for the first time in nearly two months, but there is still plenty of work ahead. The Blues are now preparing for a weekend trip to a struggling Southampton side who has slipped from first to 13th. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men will be looking to redeem themselves after a string of embarrassing defeats, and Chelsea presents a good opportunity for them to do just that. The Saints came from behind on numerous occasions in the two teams’ last meeting, proving it’s possible to do so again.

On the flip side, the Blues are in a bit of a tough position when it comes down to how to approach this match. On one hand, this is a chance for them to firmly establish themselves as top four candidates. However, it’s also the easiest match ahead of a tough run. Calling this contest a tune-up signifies Tuchel believes his team will coast, which couldn’t be further from the truth. In the grand scheme of things though, this is the last “easy” game before a gauntlet.

Here are three things to look for on Chelsea’s trip to Southampton:

1. Dominance

Hasenhuttl’s team is not going to sit back like some of the other opponents the Blues have faced. Tuchel’s side has been dominant in possession—much like Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea teams—but have produced very few chances in front of goal. Barnsley is just about the only team the German has come up against to go at the Blues, unless you count the second half of the Spurs match. Point being, Chelsea did not look comfortable in either scenario.

Although this game is thought of as a tune-up, it’ll also be a major test. Chelsea is going to face a lot of tough attacking teams in the near future—including (but not limited to) Liverpool, Everton and Leeds—if it cannot comfortably put away a struggling Southampton side, the upcoming games will be incredibly tough to win.

The Blues took it to Newcastle on Monday though and they need to build on that dominance. There’s no question Tuchel’s side will dominate possession, even against a side that plays possession-heavy football like the Saints. Therefore, the away side will need to dominate in front of goal. The forwards got on the scoring sheet against the Magpies, they need to continue that against Southampton and continue to get quality chances. Dominance is everything for the Blues in this contest.

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