Chelsea have averaged 59.4% to this point this season (the sixth highest within the league), scoring eight targets of their opening 4 video games, solely bettered by Manchester Metropolis’s 11 targets.
Six of these targets got here towards Wolves of their second sport, with Noni Madueke scoring a hat-trick, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson additionally grabbing one, whereas João Félix additionally received on the scoresheet on his return to Chelsea blue.
Nevertheless, they’ve additionally conceded 5 targets within the opening 4 video games, nonetheless displaying indicators of defensive vulnerability, one thing Maresca might want to work on additional if Chelsea need to solidify a spot within the prime 4.
As such, a change within the backline could possibly be warranted this weekend for the journey to face London rivals, West Ham United.
Axel Disasi’s sport in numbers vs Bournemouth
In Chelsea’s most up-to-date sport away at AFC Bournemouth, Axel Disasi was hooked after 62 minutes, having misplaced each of his two duels in addition to dropping possession 9 occasions taking part in in an unnatural right-back place.
The Frenchman confirmed an absence of composure on the ball, typically booting it lengthy as a substitute of getting it down, and seeking to play out from the again.
Disasi made 44 appearances for the Blues final season in all competitions, scoring three targets, contributing to 10 clear sheets, and totalling 3,690 minutes performed. Eight of these appearances got here as a right-back (filling in for Reece James and Malo Gusto when injured), while the opposite 35 appearances have been in his pure central defence function.
The 26-year-old lacks the restoration tempo and ball manipulation qualities to play at right-back, particularly in a system like Maresca’s, which requires him to flow into possession below strain, seeking to break the traces and discover passes into the midfielders.
With this being mentioned, Chelsea have the right resolution to their James and Gusto accidents, which may keep away from placing Disasi on this unnatural place, and it is available in a inventive kind.
Chelsea’s unorthodox resolution at right-back
Described as “magnificent” by Jacek Kulig, Chelsea’s all-round midfielder, Moises Caicedo, has many strings to his bow, considered one of them being the power to fill in at right-back. That is one thing the Ecuadorian did on three events for Brighton throughout the 2022/23 marketing campaign, inverting from right-back into midfield for Roberto De Zerbi’s aspect.
This is able to enable Chelsea to proceed inverting their right-side fullback (as they’d with Gusto), maintaining the workforce dynamic acquainted. Caicedo has all of the required qualities, together with ball retention, passing skill, and restoration pace, permitting him to get again into form from the inverted function.
Caicedo stats (24/25 to this point) | |
|---|---|
Stats (per 90 minutes) | Caicedo |
Progressive Carries | 1.32 |
Progressive Carries | 3.68 |
Passes Tried | 60.8 |
Move Completion % | 89.6% |
Passes into Last Third | 4.74 |
Tackles | 3.42 |
Blocks | 1.58 |
Interceptions | 2.11 |
Stats taken from FBref | |
Caicedo provides progressive passing when inverting into midfield, the power to take the ball in tight areas and play by way of the traces below strain. However he additionally affords defensive safety, making 3.42 tackles per 90, and a pair of.11 interceptions per 90, displaying his willingness to get his arms soiled.
By taking part in Caicedo on this function, it is going to enable Chelsea to subject one other midfielder/attacker, with the Ecuador midfielder inverting centrally alongside Enzo Fernandez for instance, doubtlessly permitting for the inclusion of Christopher Nkunku as a sophisticated quantity eight.
Whereas it stays to be seen if Maresca will truly undertake this method on Saturday, this tactical tweak is definitely one thing to contemplate for the conflict on the London Stadium.
