Chelsea preseason: Three lessons learnt away to Bournemouth

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Zeno Ibsen Rossi of AFC Bournemouth battles for possession with Armando Broja of Chelsea during the Pre-Season Friendly match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on July 27, 2021 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images) /

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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 23: Thiago Silva of Chelsea attempts to prevent Matt Targett of Aston Villa and Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea from clashing during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park on May 23, 2021 in Birmingham, England. A limited number of fans will be allowed into Premier League stadiums as Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in the UK. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

Chelsea won their first viewable preseason match, 2-1 over Bournemouth. It was a surprisingly energetic performance for a preseason match with the first half moving at a blistering pace. Even more interesting was how the Blues held firm to their values with a very patch work team thanks to the Euros and Copa America. What lessons were learnt in this one?

1. Four at the back is dead, long live three at the back

There has been plenty of talk about Chelsea going back to a back four at some point in the future. Maybe this signing or that allows it. No more. That’s all dead now. This is a three at the back team and it will remain as such.

The main reason to believe that is Lewis Baker and Dujon Sterling. Neither are natural centerbacks, though Sterling has at least played there at academy level. Rather than change formation or bring on centerbacks like Matt Miazga, Thomas Tuchel started those two out of position in a three man defensive line.

Simply put, a manager doesn’t go that far out of the way to make a system happen unless it is the system. 3-4-3 won Chelsea the Champions League and their last Premier League. It’s here to stay.

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