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Chelsea vs Malmo: Three things to look for in Champions League clash

By Gabe Henderson

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Ben Chilwell and Malang Sarr of Chelsea after the Premier League match between Brentford and Chelsea at Brentford Community Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Ben Chilwell and Malang Sarr of Chelsea after the Premier League match between Brentford and Chelsea at Brentford Community Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 11: Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea celebrates with Mateo Kovacic and Timo Werner after scoring their side’s third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 11: Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea celebrates with Mateo Kovacic and Timo Werner after scoring their side’s third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

2. Chelsea’s cohesion

The Champions League is a unique competition in many ways. However, one thing that’s not unique to the tournament this year is Chelsea’s shaky play. The Blues have struggled out of the gate this season on all fronts. They’ve not put in a complete performance since the first game of their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace and a lot of that has to do with the ever-changing array of players Tuchel has been forced to use early on. Injuries, international breaks and COVID complications have made it almost impossible to name a consistent starting XI.

Further complicating matter has been Tuchel’s experimental nature. The German tactician has opted to give the 3-5-2 a try. Tuchel is looking to get Romelu Lukaku on the scoresheet and get Timo Werner more involved in a familiar formation after a slow start for his compatriot. Werner has excelled in recent weeks whereas Lukaku’s shooting boots have gone missing. He looked a lot more comfortable in the 3-4-3 the Blues played during his opening few matches.

The lack of a consistent starting XI and shape shifts have led to cohesion issues all across the pitch. The Malmo match offers Tuchel the chance to put out his full strength XI given the importance of the competition and the lack of big domestic matches in the near future. This needs to result in cohesion across the pitch—especially in the final third.

Chelsea hasn’t yet learned how to play without wingers, despite not fielding any true out-and-out wingers regularly since Maurizio Sarri roamed the touchline. Lampard’s team used them as inverted forwards and Tuchel often elected to play Werner and either Kai Havertz or Mason Mount (midfielders by trade) up top. Lukaku and Werner need to use this game to develop an understanding how one another plays to really gel going forward. Further, the midfield and wingbacks haven’t yet figured out how to play alongside a true talisman in Lukaku up top. It seems as if only Mateo Kovacic, Reece James and Mount have truly built up chemistry with the new No. 9

If the Blues can begin playing like a well-oiled machine on all levels, they’ll become a force to be reckoned with in all competitions. The Malmo contest offers the chance for Chelsea to further that cohesiveness for the first time in a while.

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