🔑 Key Notes
🔹Utilise the spare man + Palmer’s gravity to open up central spaces -> inside to go out
🔹Spurs will control moments, when they do, the space is in the channels - use it!
🔹Keep them honest - runners in behind with balls over the top from the backline (direct)
🔵Chelsea lineup:
🔹Badiashile RCB (Gusto starts to provide extra support on that side, retreating from an inverted position to defend 6v5 and nullify their overloads
🔹Neto + Madueke start to add direct speak and stretch potential on BOTH sides 👍
With Cole Palmer being as dangerous as he is, you would assume Bissouma and/or Sarr will be tasked with man marking him, in which case leaving the other pocket player as the spare
With Bissouma having to cover two “pocket players” in the 4-1-4-1 pressing scheme, one of the defenders will have to be aggressive to apply pressure on the spare man
❓How can Chelsea exploit Spurs
The key in this game for Chelsea will be engaging the Tottenham back line into stepping out - this is what Spurs want to do, but the caveat is the personnel they have in this game to do it
You will often see this 2-3 base, which will have the wide split central defenders, Bissouma as the central point, and then one either side (which can be either a fullback or no8, and is fluid to create confusion)
Spurs will often move from a 3-4 base (when GK is involved) -> 2-3-2-3
📍On ball approach
We know a very big factor in Ange’s system is his willingness to invert BOTH fullbacks and the fluid rotations between those fullbacks + the no8s
This allows those number 8s to attach high to the opposition pivot players, whilst the wingers sit narrow inside the width of the 18 yard box, with double coverage roles (apply pressure on wide CB if ball is played short, travel as the ball is moving if a ball is clipped forward towards their side
📍Goal kick press
Spurs look to go man for man in the goal kick moments of the opposition, with Solanke playing the role of locking off one side of the pitch with his arched runs
The main issue with this, is the space left around the holding no6, as they will often find themselves covering two “pocket players” and being outnumbered 2-1 in this zone
📍4-1-4-1
Their more common shape (4-1-4-1) can still become a 4-2-4/4-4-2 if one of the no8s jumps out to apply pressure on the opposition backline
By doing this, Spurs are able to cover BOTH pivot players and keep them facing backwards
It is important Spurs have atleast one man gambling to pressure the pivot, due to their high defensive line, meaning if they don’t apply pressure on the ball, they are vulnerable from direct balls over the top
Their number 10 joins Solanke, looking to block passing lanes into the pivot, whilst Sarr + Bissouma (deeper midfielders) look to support at staggered heights (one gambling closer for support if the ball finds its way into the pivot, to apply pressure on the ball)
📍4-2-4
Spurs have shown their willingness to go between two main pressing shapes, the first of which being a 4-2-4
📊 Data
🔸59.5% possession (2nd highest)
🔸15.6 shots per game (joint 2nd highest)
🔸11.7 shots conceded per game (6th fewest)
🔸28 goals scored (4th most)
🔸15 goals against (joint 3rd fewest)
🔸86% pass completion average (4th highest)
Before we get into it, check this out for further breakdown using the tactics board! 👇
youtu.be/SahIUDORQQQ?...
Chelsea vs Tottenham - Tactical Preview 🧵
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Summary:
Caicedo inverting from right back has always been the best way to get all three of Lavia, Enzo and Caicedo in the same team, whilst still providing balance elsewhere on the pitch
Another string to Maresca’s tactical bow 🏹
The tenacity and short burst ground covering ability of these three help Chelsea to keep the ball in the opposition half, sustain pressure, and ultimately create more chances, as we saw for the opener
Sustaining Pressure (Rest Defence)
Cucurella has been important in this degree all season, often jumping from the “back three” to join the midfield line, creating more of a 2-3 base with Cucurella - Lavia - Caicedo ahead of the two central defenders
Jackson plays a huge part in this, timing his run, locking off one side of the pitch, and that being the trigger for everyone to apply pressure, and either win the ball in their trap, or force the ball long to contest the duel and regain possession in this regard
Chelsea’s Press
The same pressing patterns we have seen under Maresca, and it was applied to the most affective degree we have seen this season - improvements are being made week on week in the timings and unity within this structure
By forcing Villa deeper in order for them to cover Chelsea’s box midfield passing options, the byproduct was Chelsea having much more control of the game, which was a huge positive considering they went 1-0 up so early in the game, and the onus was on Villa to change that
This would drag McGinn deeper rather than inside, now creating space for the wide CB (Fofana in this instance) to carry the ball forwards and utilise that space being afforded
Caicedo + Palmer
Another way Villa would manage the rotations of Chelsea in possession, was by dropping McGinn off to cover Palmer, allowing Tielemans to step up with Caicedo
Pin-Combine-Isolate
Chelsea often used these sequences to connect the dots and quickly attack the space on the opposite side of the pitch
Caicedo pinning McGinn and/or Enzo pinning Roger’s infield allowed quick combination play between the other midfield players -> move to isolated side
Pinning McGinn 🏴
Caicedo made his movements inside with the aim of pinning McGinn infield - opening up the passing lane into Neto who could then drive at Digne 1v1 (Neither McGinn or Tielemans close enough to support)
Box Midfield Personnel 🔻
The biggest difference maker in this configuration of the box midfield, is by playing Caicedo as an inverted fullback, the personnel in the box are ALL natural midfield players - technical efficiency ⬆️
🔹Moises Caicedo
🔹Romeo Lavia
🔹Enzo Fernandez
🔹Cole Palmer
📊 Data
🔹90.1% pass completion
🔹64.3% possession
🔹58.2 % territory
🔹1.69 xG generated
🔹17 shots taken
🔹10 shots conceded
