Thomas Tuchel hints at Chelsea formation switch, from a certain point of view

When Chelsea and other clubs sign a player, they need to consider what has made that player successful previously. It’s universally accepted that some midfielders can only play in a trio but struggle in a pair. It’s somewhat accepted that players comfortable in a back three are less so in a back four. And, while it’s not as accepted as it once was, some strikers require a partner to be at their best.

That was the case with Timo Werner last year. Playing for Leipzig, Werner almost always had a bigger strike partner to pull defenders away and to be a reference point. Both Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel did their best to replicate that without actually going to two up top, but it never quite worked out as intended. Romelu Lukaku’s signing could change that and Lukaku himself has grown comfortable playing with a strike partner while at Inter Milan.

Thomas Tuchel has hinted at the idea that Chelsea will change formations to accommodate Romelu Lukaku. That could be true from a certain point of view. Who the three players are will determine most of it, but what Tuchel is trying to say is that he’s looking for a small change, not a revolution.

Last season, Tuchel came in and immediately swapped to a 3-4-2-1 formation. Rarely, he would also use a 3-5-2 and a 4-2-2-2 depending on the state of the match. The 3-5-2 Tuchel used, however, blurred the line. Thanks in large part to Mason Mount’s superb sense of positioning, the formation could easily adjust between 3-5-2 and 3-4-2-1 as the match required.

Basically, if Tuchel does opt for two up top thanks to Lukaku, it is likely that Mount becomes more of a free man. He’ll be allowed to roam the pitch connecting plays. Sometimes that will mean dropping into midfield, other times it will mean staying between the lines as another forward drops deeper to do the same.

This is likely a role Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech could fulfill as well. Havertz is more forward thinking and less defensively oriented than Mount, but he has an equally if not better sense of where he can do the most damage. Ziyech is also very good at it, but his skill set will rely more on the pass than the position.

The second striker with Lukaku will also matter. For now, Werner seems like the lock because he and Lukaku complement each other well. Lukaku will create space for Werner and offer a target for passes. Werner will almost always be available for a flick on and he’ll be able to make runs (dummy and otherwise) that free Lukaku. Havertz could also function up alongside Lukaku in a similar capacity, as could Christian Pulisic if need be.

Of course, if all of this sounds a lot like the decisions Chelsea is already making for a front three, that’s because it is. With Tuchel, the front three has been so fluid that the distinction between 3-4-2-1, 3-4-1-2, and 3-5-2 has largely been about the current phase of play. Lukaku will serve as a crucial reference point, Mount (because he’s a lock to start) a crucial transition point, and the last spot will likely be a bit of a free for all. Some games may require Werner running in behind, some Ziyech’s passing, some Havertz’s movement, and some Pulisic’s dribbling. Even if the Blues go “two up top” more often, the overall dynamic likely won’t change.

One thing not to expect, at least not anytime soon, is the 4-2-2-2. Tuchel used it at Paris Saint-Germain to fit all his attackers on the pitch but preseason was a good time to practice it. At most, Chelsea probably used four at the back for 45 minutes in preseason. It will be an option, but it shouldn’t be expected anytime soon.

More than anything is that Lukaku offers a reference point that will be better than Chelsea’s other options. He’ll bring others into the play and help everyone perform better. The main question will be who and how?