As Chelsea embarks on its pre-season tour in the USA, newly appointed manager Mauricio Pochettino will have a valuable opportunity to assess his players in action and make crucial decisions on their futures and tactical approach. With a focus on young talent, the pre-season tour becomes a stage for budding players to impress the new manager and secure their place in the squad.
Pochettino Keen on Finding the Right Tactics and Lineup
The Argentine manager plans to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation, similar to the one he used during his successful tenure at Tottenham Hotspur. His strategy will prioritize attacking full-backs, leveraging the strengths of Reece James and Ben Chilwell, while also incorporating a conventional No.10, flanked by two wingers. Pochettino is known for his aggressive pressing and high-intensity training routines, which he aims to instill in the team.
Unlike previous pre-season strategies, Chelsea has opted to include only those players who will play significant roles in the upcoming season. Consequently, leaving out players like Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi. This indicates the club’s intention to focus on the future and seek new destinations for these players.
With Kai Havertz’s departure to Arsenal, Pochettino faces a challenge in finding the ideal striker for his setup. New signing Nicolas Jackson is currently the only recognized striker in the squad. With Armando Broja still recovering, Christopher Nkunku or a false-nine approach with Raheem Sterling could be experimented with.
Defensive Tactics and Young Talent Showcase
Pochettino often starts with a four-at-the-back formation, which transitions to a three-at-the-back shape when in possession. This style complements Chelsea’s squad, particularly the exceptional wing-backs, Ben Chilwell and Reece James.
The team also boasts strong ball-playing center-backs like Benoit Badiashille, Wesley Fofana, and Levi Colwill. Although Badiashille and Fofana have not traveled with the squad, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill could feature in pre-season games. Pochettino will deploy these defenders. Further emphasizing their ability to pass between the lines, which brings a more direct approach to the team’s play.
With Edouard Mendy’s departure, the backup goalkeeper position is open for competition. Gabriel Slonina, who impressed at the U20 World Cup, has a significant chance to showcase his talents during pre-season.
In defense, Malo Gusto could showcase his skills on the right side. This is considering that Reece James has yet to travel with the team. Another player to watch is Ian Maatsen, who impressed during his loan spell at Burnley last season.
In the midfield, only Enzo Fernandez guarantees a starting position, leaving the rest of the midfield spots wide open. Players like Carney Chukwuemeka, Andrey Santos, and Cesar Casadei have a chance to feature in pre-season games and impress Pochettino with their performances.
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