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Into the depths part 3: Chelsea’s wingbacks the drivers of the system

By Travis Tyler

Chelsea's German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) embraces Chelsea's English defender Reece James (R) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 4, 2021. (Photo by NEIL HALL / 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 NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's German head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) embraces Chelsea's English defender Reece James (R) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 4, 2021. (Photo by NEIL HALL / 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 NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea during The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 15, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea during The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 15, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

4. Cesar Azpilicueta

This may come off as controversial, but it’s been proven more often than not as of late. If James is unable to play for whatever reason, who is Tuchel more likely to turn to for the right wingback spot? The answer is Azpilicueta.

The Spaniard has had a bit of a revolution in the past few months in regards to what he is and is not capable of. Few would have expected him to push his way into the Spain XI after all these years, but he did and as a fullback no less. Few would have expected Azpilicueta to be played as a wingback for Tuchel, yet he has and he’s done quite well at it.

On paper, it makes complete sense why Azpilicueta’s future is at centerback. In practice, Azpilicueta doesn’t care and he’ll play at a high level for as long as he can.  That’s why, despite his seemingly ill fit for the role, he’ll keep filling in as able.

5. Callum Hudson-Odoi

Azpilicueta’s usage as a wingback confuses for other reasons as well, namely, because it is over Hudson-Odoi. Regardless of how one feels about Hudson-Odoi as a wingback, it is at least a way for him to get on the pitch rather than be wasted on the bench or out of the squad entirely. That being said, if he is at best third in the depth chart on either side, his chances will be few and far between.

The English winger was denied a loan on deadline day. At Dortmund, he surely would be playing at least half if not more of the matches. At Chelsea, he’s just depth. While the concern may have been about Azpilicueta having to do double duty and many of the forwards being injury prone, it is hard to see exactly where Hudson-Odoi’s chances will come from. If wingback is his best chance to play, he will have few chances to feature so long as Azpilicueta is trusted when James is unavailable. And, unfortunately, his chances are even lesser on the left and in his “natural” forward role.

Things may change rapidly between now and January, but at the moment, keeping him does not appear to have been the smart move.

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