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)
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Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel congratulates Chelsea’s Danish defender Andreas Christensen (R) after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on August 28, 2021. – The game finished 1-1. – 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 Paul ELLIS / 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. / 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 PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Since Antonio Conte first switched to a back three, the club has held on to centerbacks. Yes, Maurizio Sarri and Frank Lampard both used just two, but few players left from the top of the pile in the meantime. Thomas Tuchel’s usage of a back three again justified this, and the depth is as good as it’s ever been. But for how long?
Who are the top six centerback options (three starters, three in reserve), plus who should be watched on loan or from the academy?
1. Andreas Christensen
Christensen has had himself quite the year. Though he was never necessarily bad under Frank Lampard, he never really reached the heights that he had seen under Antonio Conte. Thomas Tuchel’s immediate switch to back three gave a new lease on life to many defenders and it has brought the best back out of Christensen.
The main reasons he goes on top of the depth chart are versatility and consistency. The three centerback roles are not interchangeable so it is only to Christensen’s advantage that he can play in all three spots as need be. He may not be first on the team sheet, but he’ll often end up there as the third centerback (almost) regardless of what spot is left.
Furthermore, his consistency since Tuchel’s arrival has been nothing short of top notch. While others may have done well, they have not maintained it to the same degree as Christensen. It already looks as though he has pushed Thiago Silva out of the starting XI and, even if that may change, it seems as though Christensen will find a place somewhere in the trio.
