Chelsea are yet to face a defeat in the reign of Thomas Tuchel and their game seems to get better each passing day. The Blues are slowly yet steadily climbing high in the Premier League table and will be looking to consolidate their position even further. But in their way are Southampton, who will be hosting the Londoners this weekend in the Premier League.
Almost all the players are starting to click in the unusual system that Tuchel has employed at Chelsea with the 3-4-2-1 formation. Southampton are in poor form and have lost their last few games in the Premier League. Tuchel might look to change things here and there as getting a win against the Saints should not be much of a problem for the rampant Chelsea side.
Let us now have a look at how Thomas Tuchel might set his Chelsea side up against ailing Southampton in the Premier League.
THE 3-4-2-1
In what was a surprising change last game, Kepa Arrizabalaga performed well last time and might just keep his place in the side. The Spaniard was a mere spectator this season until now but this might just be his time to rise and shine. The defence has been water-tight since Tuchel has come in and the likes of Rudiger, Christensen and Azpilicueta are the most likely defenders to start for the Londoners.
The wing-backs have been Chelsea’s new-found assets as Marcos Alonso and Callum Hudson-Odoi have done fantastically well in the role that has been assigned to them. Both have done well going forward and to everyone’s surprise, defensively have been sound as well. Kovacic has also become a beast in the midfield as the Blues have constantly found him on the ball throughout the pitch.
The emergence and goals of Timo Werner has been music to the ears of all the Chelsea fans who have been waiting patiently for him to perform.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 is very much similar but a much more balanced and stable system and formation than the 3-4-1-2 which has been used by Chelsea in the recent past. In such a system, N’Golo Kante will be expected to start in place of Jorginho as the Frenchman is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. The left-back slot for Marcos Alonso is also likely to fade off in such a system with Ben Chilwell starting for the Blues. Alonso has struggled in a four-at-the-back system because of his defensive issues and might be rested in such a system.
Mason Mount has cemented his place in the starting XI at Chelsea even under the new manager, who is fond of Mount. Hakim Ziyech might also sneak in as he hasn’t played a lot of football recently but was influential under former boss Lampard. Christian Pulisic also needs to find his feet or will soon see his starting spot go away.
THE 4-3-3
The 4-3-3 is the final option Tuchel has in his armoury of systems and formations and it is unlikely to be used against Southampton. The Saints play with a four-man midfield and playing this system will lead to loss of control in the midfield for Chelsea. The Londoners should win the game with ease especially looking at the varying forms between both the sides.
