Tactics and Transfers: Same old, new Chelsea and some stars

Chelsea may need to shift to a 4-2-3-1—though it is my least favorite formation of all—a 4-3-3 or, to my great joy, a 4-1-4-1. The question then becomes whether or not the defense will be able to hold in that case. Will it? Though Antonio Rudiger has been a revelation on the left side of a three, would he be as good in a four? History suggests not. That may be why if he’s truly asking for £400,000 per week, Chelsea would be better off waving him “auf wiedersehen” and letting bygones be bygones.

Thiago Silva appears to have lost some of the pace that made him the heir apparent to Paolo Maldini at AC Milan and of all Cesar Azpilicueta’s legendary skills, he does appear best as a right sided centerback. Christensen had been making progress in the three at the back system, but then old habits self showed themselves recently and suggested those ghosts may not be as vanquished as one would hope. Trevoh Chalobah is a young legend—no commentary.

It’s complicated. Painfully so but this is Chelsea, it has to be dramatic.

Tuchel will figure it out in the end. It’s obvious he sees something wrong too as he has already tried a 4-3-3 in cup matches and tried a 3-5-2, as well. I believe the eventual solution lies in the play of the midfield. Too big a change would cause chaos and frankly, the defensive issues can’t be forgotten. Thus, the responsibility falls to the midfield from a tactical perspective. It needs to create far more chances and move the ball along with more ambition, bravery, vision and fire. That’s why Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have gotten into the side and been such vast improvements. They need to see themselves not just as No. 6s, but deep-lying playmakers who spring counter attacks while also minding the need for possession and tactical superiority.