The Chelsea side have started life well under Thomas Tuchel, who has brought in some much-needed changes on and off the field for the Blues. But things will not be very easy for Chelsea or their new manager as the Blues face their London rivals Tottenham next. Even though Tottenham have not been in the best of forms, Mourinho will be keen to get one better over his former employers, Chelsea.
Chelsea have done very well under Tuchel as they have kept a couple of clean sheets and are playing with optimum confidence. The style of play is pretty much evident and the system has been the same in the Tuchel era so far at Chelsea. But because the Chelsea squad is very thick, it will be interesting to see the team sheet in the London derby against Mourinho’s Tottenham, who are without Harry Kane.
Let us now have a look at how Thomas Tuchel might set his Chelsea side up against Tottenham in the first London derby of his managerial reign.
THE 3-5-2
The 3-5-2 has been used by Tuchel in his first couple of games at Chelsea and it is by far the most attacking system with such personnel. The likes of Hudson-Odoi and Marcos Alonso had a great game against Burnley and have been Tuchel’s main weapons on the flanks. But it will be interesting to see if Tuchel picks both of them as they good while defending, especially looking at the pace Tottenham have in their flanks.
The two sureties in the team will be Matteo Kovacic and Jorginho, who have been fabulous in the last couple of games. They have controlled the midfield very well and have kept Chelsea ticking and moving with outstanding distribution of the ball. Mason Mount has also impressed with the pockets of space he has taken in the midfield and his energy is unmatched in the Chelsea squad.
Mourinho’s side will be expected to sit back and defend as their talisman Harry Kane is injured, and Chelsea need to take advantage to the situation.
THE 4-2-3-1
Thomas Tuchel has used the 4-2-3-1 at Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint Germain as well and it is a chance that he might use it again at Chelsea. This will be a very balanced system which can both attack and defend according to the need of the hour. It should have Jorginho and Kovacic as the double-pivot in the midfield as both have done well together.
Thiago Silva and Rudiger have been Tuchel’s first choice centre-back pairing and are likely to be preferred again as well. The full-backs might be changed in such a system though as Chilwell and James are more equipped defensively than Alonso and Hudson-Odoi. On the right flank, there will be a selection issue between Hudson-Odoi or Ziyech as both the players have done well recently.
THE 4-3-3
The 4-3-3 is also an option for Tuchel but he barelky has used this system in his managerial career. The Chelsea squad is full of wingers and Tuchel might use this as an opportunity to implement the 4-3-3 at Chelsea, which was heavily used by Frank Lampard. Looking at the recent run of form, Chelsea will be favourites to win and should attack Tottenham from the onset.
