How Chelsea can beat Tottenham Hotspur Pre-Game Tactical Analysis

(A Thread)

I wanted to make this thread to educate Chelsea Fans in the build up to the Spurs game on Saturday. In this thread I will be analysing and explaining Tottenham’s system and tactics.

Tottenham are in superb form at the moment, they’re currently 1st in the league and have done pretty decently in Europe so far. This season they’ve impressed both offensively and defensively but why is that ?

Summary:

Jose’s team so far have scored 21 goals and only conceded 9. They average 2.3 goals per game and concede exactly 1 goal per game so we can see using this they have a good balance between attacking and defending. Their attack is obviously very prolific and amazing...

going forward in transitions/counter attacks.

Introduction:

Let’s start with how they line up. Tottenham line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation like this...

In attack:

Spurs play out the back using 3 players. Those 3 players are the 2 centre backs and Hojberg. Hojberg drops deep when in possession in between the 2 centre backs which split in order to create width. This 3 at the back gives them a numerical advantage against the...

attack they’re facing. When Hojberg drops deep the full backs bomb forward since they now have cover in behind. Aurier and Doherty are great offensively and not so much defensively and the same goes to Reguilon. This actually helps the wingers so much but not many realise it.

Son is actually an inverted winger, as you can tell by the type of winger it’s pretty self-explanatory. When the full back (Reguilon) goes forward, Son can drift infield and occupy the half spaces and the same happens on the right hand side.

When the inverted wingers occupy the half spaces with Kane, it often helps them gain a numerical advantage in the central spaces. Since Spurs’ main attacking threat and quality is out on the left, they like to overload the side, this often leads to the defence shifting to...

the left and this leaves space on the right. A player from the left can simply switch it into the gaps left on the right and possible score from there.

When attacking, Ndombele drops from the 10 role to create a double pivot of him and Sissoko, this creates an extra passing lane, depth in defence and a triangle at the back which is very effective when playing out the back. He only drops deep when in the middle of the pitch...

to start transitions and create passing lanes.

He can beat the defensive midfield or whoever he has to 1v1 and open up space in the final 3rd with ease.

Obviously having only 2 midfielders has its disadvantages. Most midfielders are in a 3 nowadays and the pivot can be outnumbered by this. In order to prevent this, Kane drops deep and this is where his play making ability comes in.

Here’s an example…

Here we can see Spurs are trying to build from the back but are clearly outnumbered in midfield. Kane drops deep to help with the build-up play and when he drops deep he encourages the opposing CB to be dragged with him. It creates space...

Kane receives a ball and Son is already making a run forward. Kane using his playmaking abilities makes a curved pass out to Son who finishes it off.

In Defence:

In defence Spurs play a 4-5-1. They sit deep and defend in their own half with Kane, Son and the chosen RW being able to efficiently move on the counter. The middle section is very tight and compact and with Hojberg at the heart of the centre zone. To be honest...

there’s nothing much in there other than man to man defending when in their own half on the back foot.

Weaknesses that we should look at to attack when we play them:

- Set-Pieces (espeacially from the flanks)

- Defending chance creation in the wide areas (attack the right hand side).

This would be my team to face Tottenham tomorrow.

No point changing anything that works. Clearly our best defence at the moment with Chillwell and Reece providing width and major creativity on the flanks. Silva is our best centre back and has had plenty of rest since the international break. Zouma needs to keep those...

long balls out and win everything in the air against Kane. Kane will be looking for penalties if Zouma isn't careful in the air. In front of the back like, Kante at lone DM is the way to go, Spurs will most likely play deep in this game so I don't expect much pressing but...

you never know because they are pretty well organised when it comes to pressuring players on the ball. Havertz coming back from COVID is a massive boost for our midfield, provides threat in the attacking third and also end product which we've been lacking in the middle 3...

Mount is so vital for us as an 8, he just needs to continue EXACTLY what he has done over the last 5 games. His pressing and switching of the ball from deep will be important. I think Callum deserves a chance, he's in good form at the moment and can give Aurier...

a hard time with his dribbling ability. He also provides creativity and accurate crossing from the left. Abraham and Giroud, I wouldn't mind either of those 2 playing because they provide aerial threat in set pieces and both are in fantastic form.

Werner really needs to be rested. Ziyech is currently our most creative player so it's pretty much a no brainer. Him and Reece linking up on the right will help us break Spurs down.

End of Thread

Likes and RT's appreciated

Also go follow @_thfcjack as he helped me with some of the thread.