How Tuchel's Chelsea are a different proposition for Man City
Slicker in attack, more solid at the back and a red-hot Mason Mount… How Man City will face a VERY different Chelsea side in today’s FA Cup semi-final to the one they cut to shreds in January
- Chelsea conceded three times in 16 first-half minutes in 3-1 January defeat
- Manager Frank Lampard probably knew his days in the job were numbered
- But Thomas Tuchel’s side will present a stiffer challenge in FA Cup semi-final
- They have improved immeasurably at the back with 13 clean sheets in 18 games
- And Tuchel may have stumbled upon the ideal forward trio in recent weeks
- England’s rising star Mason Mount has been in outstanding form of late
It was an afternoon that told us an awful lot.
The ruthless incision of Manchester City’s attacking play, even in the absence of several key players because of Covid-19, told us an unstoppable Premier League title challenge was coming.
Chelsea’s defensive shambles, meanwhile, informed us that Frank Lampard’s days as their manager were numbered and that his club legend status was no insurance against the sack.
Chelsea were outplayed by Manchester City in a 3-1 home defeat in the league on January 3
Frank Lampard probably sensed the end was near after his side were cut to shreds by City
Three goals in 16 first-half minutes formed the basis of an embarrassingly comfortable 3-1 City win at Stamford Bridge back on January 3.
Here were two sides heading in opposite directions and Lampard was duly fired on January after a run of just two wins in eight league matches left them a lowly ninth in the table.
The German coach Thomas Tuchel was appointed as his replacement 24 hours later and, as the two teams prepare to meet again in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final, it’s evident Chelsea will be a completely different proposition.
Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea are a very different proposition when the two clubs meet again
While Pep Guardiola’s side have cantered away at the top of the Premier League and are pursuing a historic Quadruple, Chelsea aren’t the pushovers they were on that Sunday afternoon three-and-a-half months ago.
We take a look at some of the areas where Tuchel has improved Chelsea as he prepares to face his good friend Guardiola at Wembley.
INFINITELY MORE RESOLUTE AT THE BACK
Chelsea conceded 12 goals in that eight-match horror Premier League sequence just before Lampard’s dismissal.
By comparison, Tuchel’s Chelsea have let in just nine goals in all 18 games he has taken charge of.
It speaks of how the German has tightened up a Chelsea defence that often looked vulnerable under Lampard. Despite finishing fourth last season, they shipped 54 goals, more than anyone else in the top half.
Andreas Christensen has been one factor in Chelsea’s new-found resoluteness at the back
The switch to three-at-the-back and the use of wing-backs in the majority of games has proved a masterstroke, giving Chelsea a more authoritative air.
That shouldn’t be a surprise given Antonio Conte favoured the system when they last won the title in 2016-17.
The sense of foreboding Chelsea fans felt previously when watching their team try and absorb wave after wave of pressure has vanished amid an impressive 13 clean sheets under Tuchel.
Antonio Rudiger has proved himself unflappable at the heart of Chelsea’s three-man defence
Even when Porto were pushing hard for a route back into their Champions League quarter-final tie, you felt that Chelsea weren’t going to crack. It has been far more comfortable viewing for the fans.
The loss of Thiago Silva could have been a real problem, but Andreas Christensen, a player marginalised under Lampard, stepped in seamlessly and with real resolve.
Tuchel has clearly been impressed by Antonio Rudiger, picking him in almost every match, and Kurt Zouma has stepped up when required.
Thiago Silva’s red card and the 5-2 home loss to West Brom is the only low point under Tuchel
The one obvious blot on Tuchel’s copybook was that 5-2 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion a couple of weeks ago.
Chelsea never recovered from the first-half sending off of Thiago Silva and were opened up every time their relegation-threatened opponents attacked.
But that has been the exception that proves the rule.
NEW FORMATION PLAYS TO CHELSEA’S STRENGTHS
Tuchel arrived with a reputation for being something of a tactical tinker man, both between and during matches.
Perhaps it’s the result of limited time on the training ground amid a hectic schedule but he has largely stuck to the same shape and system in each game so far.
That 13-match unbeaten start no doubt confirmed to Tuchel that 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2 was the way to play and it’s apparent it suits Chelsea.
The new accent on wing-backs attacking certainly plays to the strengths of Reece James
Watching brief
CHELSEA vs MANCHESTER CITY
FA Cup semi-final; Wembley Stadium
Saturday 5.30pm kick-off
Live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
The likes of Ben Chilwell, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi have all the attributes to meet the demands of wing-back play and are forging a good understanding with the forward line.
Meanwhile, the tireless N’Golo Kante, ball-playing Jorginho and composed Mateo Kovacic offer protection for the back three when the wing-backs are caught upfield during a counter.
The attack also offers a certain fluidity. Tuchel isn’t exactly short of choice up front though they aren’t really ‘his’ players having been the result of last summer’s spending splurge.
Some improvement is required in attack still, with Chelsea not scoring as regularly as they did under Lampard. Last Saturday at Crystal Palace was the first time they’d netted more than twice in a game under Tuchel.
But they’re undoubtedly more efficient and effective and his choice of system has quite a lot to do with that.
Chelsea were in rampant form last weekend as they scored four goals at Crystal Palace
MORE URGENCY GOING FORWARD
City will expect to dominate possession at Wembley and stamp their authority on proceedings as they always try to do.
But Chelsea have become much more adept in seizing the ball back from opponents, keeping hold of it when they have it and have become slicker moving forward.
While the 79 per cent possession they enjoyed in Tuchel’s first game against Wolves – a frustrating 0-0 draw – is a bit extreme, his Chelsea have seen more of the ball. Around 60 per cent is the average for league games.
Tuchel and Pep Guardiola are good friends from their days as managers in the Bundesliga
Tuchel, like Pep, believes that having the ball equates to control of the game and it’s little surprise therefore that their pass count has risen as well.
But it’s not the ponderous build-up that became an issue in certain games under Lampard. Making use of their greater width and the fluidity up front, there is plenty of penetration of defences.
The shot and goal count may have dipped in the majority of games but this shortfall is adequately compensated by the extra solidity in defence.
Tuchel embraces midfielder Jorginho after Chelsea’s Champions League progress in the week
MOUNT IN OUTSTANDING FORM
Remember all those worries that Mason Mount would be cast aside by Tuchel in favour of Kai Havertz and others simply because the England man was perceived to be Lampard’s ‘teacher’s pet’?
Those fears were exacerbated when the 22-year-old only played eight minutes off the bench against Wolves. All that astonishing progress would surely be lost in a stroke.
Not a bit of it. Mount has started 13 of 18 games under Tuchel and come off the bench in another three. He’s achieved this regular starting spot simply by playing so well it became impossible to ignore.
Mason Mount is in superb form with his goal in the first leg against Porto a real high point
Mount has been completely unaffected by the transition between managers, scoring five times since, the highlight being his breakthrough goal in the first leg against Porto.
City have their men in form, of course, not least Mount’s England team-mate Phil Foden.
Mount wasn’t able to influence the game back in January but this time his confidence is soaring and you’d back him to make a decisive contribution.
Of all Chelsea’s creative forces, Mount is probably the one occupying Guardiola’s mind the most as he draws up his game plan for Saturday’s clash.
Mount celebrates with Kai Havertz after the German’s goal in last weekend’s Palace win
HAVERTZ STARTING TO FIND HIS FEET
While it still isn’t happening for Timo Werner, who has scored just once under Tuchel, last Saturday’s 4-1 win over Palace must have felt like a ‘eureka’ moment.
Not only did Chelsea finally score more than two goals, the way Mount combined with Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic did hint this trio could be the way forward in attack.
Havertz is undoubtedly an exceptional talent for a 21-year-old but his £71million price tag has weighed heavily at times during this first season in England.
Tuchel may have stumbled upon the perfect attack in Pulisic (left), Havertz and Mount
It still hasn’t really happened for Timo Werner, however, with just one goal under Tuchel
He’s looked sharper since returning from injury last month, however, and Tuchel will have been highly encouraged to see him score and set up another for Pulisic at Selhurst Park.
Tuchel does have a good track record of bringing young players on and obviously it’s going to take time for his coaching methods to reap rewards.
Playing Havertz up top as a false 9 with Mount and Pulisic supplying the ammunition could well be the way forward.
With the trio developing a good understanding, there should be something there to trouble City.
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