Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham three lessons learnt: Tempers flare
By Hugo Amaya
2. Chelsea’s new strengths: Pressing and pressure
Chelsea performed extremely well in all areas of the pitch. Overall, the Blues did not let Spurs advance higher up the field or even play their intended brand of football on the day. When they lost the ball, they waited for the right time to press and did so with relentlessness. Spectators were treated to a vintage Thomas Tuchel team performance on Sunday.
The players’ movements were well organized and intended to expose Spurs’ weaknesses throughout the entirety of the 90 minutes. By setting up this way, Chelsea forced mistakes out of the opposition, and in one instance, it turned into a goal. In the past, Tuchel has tried to implement these tactics, but with the players at his disposal, it was near impossible. Now, with a full squad full of important additions, the Blues can play just like the coach wants them to regularly.
Defensively, Chelsea denied Spurs any time on the ball at all. The team pressured whomever was in possession at the time by surrounding them with two or three players, usually from the midfield pivot. These tactics are so difficult to implement because they demand a lot of energy from players, and it leaves other areas of the pitch exposed, so the unit has to be disciplined. However, if this aggressive style works, it tends to pay off. In this case, the Blues’ players were decisive in their tackles and careful enough when surrounding the opposition. In turn, Chelsea properly dominated possession of the ball and the overall game too.
It is clear what Tuchel wants from this team, and now he can make it work. This Chelsea squad is versatile and disciplined. Therefore, allowing for a dynamic press and intense pressure when off the ball. The Blues no longer have to sit in their own half to wait for the ball. Rather, the team can proactively retrieve it and therefore, create more goalscoring opportunities. If the squad continues to implement this system throughout the year, it will be a fruitful season for Chelsea.