Chelsea take on Wolves on Sunday afternoon at 1pm, and it’s a game that is really there to be attacked from the start and for Chelsea to get on the front foot.
We have absolutely dominated our last two games, with 78% possession against Newcastle and the same percentage against Sheffield United.
Wolves are unlikely to be able to match Chelsea’s possession, but they have certainly been a team that likes to try to have the ball as much as possible, and this could open up the game for Chelsea.
In our last game we all saw the big difference those natural full-backs made in our performance and the final result. I fully believe that it was Malo Gusto who was the key to us getting the win on Tuesday night.
However, I understand why Pochettino has opted for centre-backs as full-backs. With Levi Colwill, I just think it’s a case of wanting to have him on the field but also wanting to start both Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile, and also favoring Axel Disasi a lot.
The other reason is because he wants height all over the field, as well as physicality.
Ian Maatsen is very small and Malo Gusto is not the tallest. Gusto has also been injured.
But having said all that, against Wolves, I fully believe we should take the game to them using natural full-backs. I think our attack needs to be fierce. If you look at all the top teams, they will use full-backs as attackers, and that’s what we’ve missed by using centre-backs there.
Of course, it presents the risk of being a little more open to the counterattack or losing numbers in the backline, but that is why the 4-2-3-1 configuration that uses a double pivot to cover the wingers who bomb forward Go ahead, it really may be the answer.
Some of you have suggested that we use full-backs and a back three while we have injuries, and that is something I am not against as a temporary measure either. I can really see the advantages of that too.
I’d love to see this against Wolves (I know we won’t):
This could also work in a 3-5-2 and adding an extra centre-back.
I think Armando Broja is MUCH better than what we have seen in the last few games and even he has admitted it. But he still provides ball retention in advanced areas and also a physical presence in the box. It is an essential start for me.
I’ve always said that Nicolas Jackson would be much better as a full-back or second striker, so give him that role and let’s see what he can do coming in a little from the left and linking up with Mykhailo Mudryk. This would also free up space for Mudryk to operate and really fool the opposition (they would have no idea who to mark).
Cole Palmer on the right but floating inside. Both Palmer and Mudryk would need to be disciplined and aware defensively too, and offer cover to the full-backs.
Overlapping and bombing up and down full-backs give us a greater attacking threat, more options, crosses into the box for TWO forwards and the ability to overload when Wolves switch to a low block.
Conor Gallagher and Moisés Caicedo would be our two most important players in this setup (Enzo Fernández appears to be injured) and they would have to think about the defensive side first. If they are not disciplined and prepared to cover for the full-backs, then things could go very wrong. But they both have it in their locker, without a doubt. There are two great ball winners and interceptors there.
Benoit Badiashile starts ahead of Levi Colwill based on height alone, and I simply don’t think you can take Thiago Silva out of this team yet, as he continues to be one of our best and most consistent players, and his influence is needed.
Raheem Sterling comes out to defend me because it has been poor and very frustrating. At the beginning of the season he was very good and I will always give them praise when it is deserved, as I did at the time. But, in my opinion, his recent performances really need to be dropped.
Mudryk is another must-start as we are starting to see a much more confident player, so we need to keep that momentum going for him.
I just think we’ve got to get there on the front foot and with confidence now, it’s really the best way to approach this game. Use our momentum, prepare offensively and let’s see what we can do. If we get one or two goals early, we can change the formation and personnel if necessary.
I’m also not saying that we should prepare like this every game, but against Wolves, a team that has just lost 3-0 to West Ham and is below us in the league, we should try to take the game to them and be devastating in attack.
I also just delved into that Tuesday night was the first time Pochettino chose Maatsen, a natural left back who got the player of the league last season playing at left back, AT left back!! Wow.
