It became official on July 1 that Mauricio Pochettino will be the new head man at Chelsea Football Club, bringing in a new set of standards with the hopes of resurrecting the west Londoners.
The last time the world saw the West London outfit on the football pitch, they were in shambles. Whether it was a lack of clear instructions, or questionable substitutions, the entire 2022-2023 campaign for the Blues was one defined by disorganization. CFC’s new man, Pochettino is defined by his organization and discipline. Mostly using a 4-2-3-1 formation, the Argentine manager uses the philosophy of a stable shape with the idea of eliminating counter-attacks in order to counter-press on the other end.
His system must possess footballers that are at their peak physical condition. In possession, Pochettino’s team move to more of a 3-4-2-1 as his wing-back fly up the flanks to get involved in the attacks. All of this is enticing given where the club was just a few months ago, but who should the league keep their eye on as Chelsea that might show up under this new reign. Here are three players among many within Chelsea’s squad that have the capabilities to prosper in this kind of belief system.
3 Chelsea players that will make their mark in Pochettino’s system
3. Levi Colwill
With Benoît Badiashile reported to be out for an “extended period” in late May, someone else may have to fill in the role as the left-sided center back. Returning Levi Colwill looks to be that guy. The 20-year-old has been a hot commodity by several top-flight clubs including his club last season Brighton and Hove Albion along with Liverpool.
Time and time again, the west Londoners have been adamant that he is not for sale. The discussions, and rumors will continue, but due to his age and potential, the west London outfit has to see what the the former Southampton manager can do with him. Colwill has experience in both a four back and a three back with the Seagulls last season. His distribution and precision when it comes to long balls at Brighton and with the U21 English national team has been remarkable.
Colwill was a part of a Roberto De Zerbi squad that led the Premier League last season in high turnovers. Meaning the Seagulls won possession in open play within forty metres of the opponent goal more than any side last season. That experience would help him adjust to the kind of relentless football that is expected from a Pochettino team.
The young Englishmen enjoys to progress the ball forward with via a pass or through a carry. He is in the 88th percentile or higher in progressive passes and carries. That is something that the Blues are going to need in order to be more consistent in front of the goal month when August rolls around. From 2015-2018, Spurs was top-three in total possession. Colwill is in the 99th percentile for center-backs in passes attempted per 90 minutes. This just seems like the perfect young player that can grow within a system that highlights a lot of his strengths.
2. Christopher Nkunku
Similar to the role Deli Alli played for Tottenham under the new west Londoner’s manager, Christopher Nkunku is going to be the straw that stirs the drink for the Blues next season. Alli was someone that saw the majority of his minutes as that roaming No. 10. Nkunku can be that, but also much more. One of the best parts about the Frenchmen’s game is the fact that he is not nailed down to one single position on the pitch.
Pochettino has the luxury to place Nkunku as the attacking midfielder, or a false nine up top within his favored 4-2-3-1 formation. He has an incredible work rate on the pitch, something that the Argentine values. As a forward, he is in the 93rd percentile in interceptions per 90. An attacking midfielder, similar to where Alli played is most likely going to be Nkunku’s role beginning in August. He is individually attack-minded while providing the kind of link-up play this side must have to create high quality chances.
The French attacker is a prolific passer on the ball no matter where he plays. Given Pochettino’s high possession statistics while in north London, that could be of great use. Not once has Nkunku had fewer than 12 goal contributions in the German top-flight. The former RB Leipzig man is the exact type profile Pochettino is going to need for his progressive, and relentless style of football to be productive.
1. Reece James
In order for this type of system to work its magic, the wing backs for the west Londoners are going to have to be influential. The positive thing is Chelsea are extremely deep in that position with two players returning from loans in addition to possessing arguably one of the best duos any Premier League club can offer. During his time in north London, the Argentine was keen on having his two wing-back fly up the pitch and support the midfield and attack.
At the age of 23, there is no better full-back for Pochettino to work with than Reece James. The argument for James as the best right-back in the world is there. His strength combined with that creativity on the ball, and versatility on both ends of the pitch makes the former Chelsea academy graduate one of the cornerstones for this club’s future success.
Whether it was Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, or Ben Davies, the wing-back for Spurs were known to get involved in the attack and contribute assists. In the 2016-2017 campaign in which the north Londoners finished second in the English top-flight, Trippier, Davies, and Walker combined for 13 assists in league play. For full-backs, James is in the 91st percentile in expected assists.
In the 2021-2022 campaign, the Englishmen played distributor on nine goals, just one behind Mason Mount for the team lead that season. Between 2016-2018, Pochettino’s Spurs ranked second in total progressive passes. With 6.23 per 90, James is in the 91 percentile in that category. In any system, the Blues’ No. 24 could thrive, but under the Argentine who emphasizes full-backs, James should be sensational.