Year: 2021

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - 2021/12/08: Timo Werner (R), and Callum Hudson-Odoi (L) of Chelsea celebrating during the UEFA Champions League, football match between Zenit and Chelsea at Gazprom Arena.(Final score; Zenit 3:3 Chelsea). (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The 3-5-2 is the future at Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel

This is not a typo: Chelsea has defensive problems

Chelsea player ratings at Zenit: Defeating draw in St. Petersburg

Chelsea at Zenit score predictions: Blues strive for first in Group H

Chelsea's Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the UEFA Champions League Group H football match between Chelsea and Zenit St Petersburg at Stamford Bridge in London on September 14, 2021. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea at Zenit St. Petersburg predicted XI: 3-4-2-1 with heavy rotation

Chelsea's German defender Antonio Rudiger (R) runs away from Zenit St. Petersburg's Russian midfielder Daler Kuzyaev (L) during the UEFA Champions League Group H football match between Chelsea and Zenit St Petersburg at Stamford Bridge in London on September 14, 2021. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Two things to watch for in Chelsea at Zenit in the Champions League

Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount reacts at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Chelsea at The London Stadium, in east London on December 4, 2021. - - 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 Glyn KIRK / 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 GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea’s Mason Mount is finding his footing at the right time

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea FC lifts the Champions League Trophy ahead of the Pre Season Friendly between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)

A third placed Chelsea might be just what the Blues need

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The Callum Hudson-Odoi wingback experiment ended at West Ham

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Thiago Silva of Chelsea celebrates the opening goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St. James Park on October 30, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Top three Chelsea players from the month of November

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is seen during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St. James Park on October 30, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Thomas Tuchel’s honeymoon period is over at Chelsea

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Thiago Silva of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium on December 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Chelsea player ratings at West Ham: Devastating derby defeat

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Jorginho of Chelsea clashes with Declan Rice of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium on December 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Three lessons learnt in Chelsea’s defeat at West Ham

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium on December 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

West Ham read Chelsea like a book in their 3-2 victory

WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea celebrates scoring their 2nd goal with team-mates during the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on December 1, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Chelsea at West Ham score predictions: Competitive contest

Chelsea's Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammate Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz (L) and Chelsea's English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (C) during the UEFA Champions League group H football match Malmo FF v Chelsea FC in Malmo, Sweden on November 2, 2021. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea at West Ham predicted XI: Absentees return in fluid 3-4-2-1

WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Mason Mount of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on December 01, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Mason Mount proved worthy of Ballon d’Or ranking against Watford

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Saúl Ñíguez of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Round of 16 match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on October 26, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Chelsea’s Saul experiment has failed miserably, it’s time for Plan B

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Ben Chilwell of Chelsea reacts after a missed chance during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Leicester, England. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

Injuries are finally beginning to impact Chelsea’s form

Chelsea's Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech (L) celebrates with Chelsea's German striker Timo Werner (R) after scoring the opening goal of the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on April 17, 2021. - Chelsea won the game 1-0. - 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 Adam Davy / 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. / 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 ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea could lose two of its top players to Barcelona

WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea celebrates scoring their 2nd goal with team-mates during the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on December 1, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Chelsea at Watford player ratings: Three ugly points away from home

WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Antonio Ruediger after victory in the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on December 01, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Three lessons learnt in Chelsea at Watford: Tuchel takes a risk

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Andreas Christensen of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 14, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen as good as gone with contract tactic

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Timo Werner of Chelsea is congratulated by team-mates Hakim Ziyech, Antonio Rudiger, Trevoh Chalobah and Saul Niguez after he scores a goal to make it 4-0 during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Juventus at Stamford Bridge on November 23, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)

Chelsea at Watford score predictions: Blues sting Hornets

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel the manager / head coach of Chelsea at full time of the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on September 25, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

Chelsea at Watford predicted XI: Thomas Tuchel’s difficult selection

The Ballon d'Or award is displayed prior to the 2021 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on November 29, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea’s Monday recap: Ballon d’Or, Club World Cup and more!

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Callum Hudson-Odoi of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Chelsea’s lack of killer instinct is incredibly worrisome

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Antonio Ruediger of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on November 28, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Chelsea can only blame itself for not capitalizing on domination