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Chelsea v Burnley 31/1/21: How Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea is starting to take shape. (a thread by @CFCaustin )
The starting XI was billed as a 3-4-3, although, as is common in Tuchel’s sides, the formation would shift throughout the match.
Attacking in transition, Mount would often drop back into the midfield with Werner sometimes drifting more central, almost creating a 3-5-2. This was key in opening up space for Hudson-Odoi to attack down the right wing, and either put in his crosses or drive into the box.
In other, more aggressive attacking scenarios, Mount and Kovacic would push high up, Mount making frequent runs into the box, with the wingbacks at times in-line with the forwards. Jorginho would remain deeper with the back-3 for additional defensive security.
In defense, the formation would revert into a 5-3-2, Mount again dropping into midfield, with Tuchel encouraging the players to press with high intensity. As a result, the ball was won back quickly throughout the game, allowing Burnley just 29% possession and 1 shot all game.
The defensive structure left Burnley struggling to build up play with short passing, forcing them to start playing longer balls in, which never really posed a threat. Silva was key to the defensive shutdown, registering 6 clearances, 4 interceptions, 2 tackles, and 5/7 duels won.
Pulisic’s substitution changed the attacking flow of the game- he looked to play a free role along the attacking line, although remained more central than we’re used to seeing from him. Seemingly to allow Alonso and CHO to remain the primary players to attack from wide positions.
Pulisic’s key role in the game would be to drift left and right to link up play between the wide and central attacking players throughout the 2nd half, culminating in his assist to Alonso for his brilliant volleyed goal.
Chelsea’s 2nd game under Tuchel showed a strong, confident defensive performance against a Burnley side that never really seemed to pose any attacking threat. The two goals from Azpi and Alonso showed some brilliant team play and creative ability, with assists for Pulisic and CHO
The future of the Tuchel era seems bright, but the biggest challenge he faces at this point in time seems to be helping struggling players such as Werner and Havertz regain their form, and getting all of our attacking players to develop a more clinical edge in front of goal.
