Mauricio Pochettino is considering deploying a three man defensive setup to salvage Chelsea FC’s season
Mauricio Pochettino is now considering changing his tactical approach to salvage the season following a 4-2 defeat to Wolves last week, which followed the 4-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield midweek.
According to the Evening Standard, (h/t Metro), the Argentine manager is pondering a formation switch from four at the back to three to see if the method will pay dividends.
The defeat to Wolves seems to have been the final nail in the coffin, as it was the first-ever defeat to the Midlands club since 1979. This has seen the fans grow frustrated with the manager’s style, as the club’s campaign threatens to fall into turmoil.
The West Londoners have been lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation so far in the campaign, and now three at the back could see the club set up in a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 formation, which will bring more balance in the midfield and solidity in defence.
Chelsea have a weak defence this season, as they conceded 39 goals, which is alarming enough to make changes in the squad. While nobody expects us to reinvent the glory days of keeping clean sheets under John Terry, it is not much to ask for the Blues to keep things tight at the back.
Will the three at the back setup result in a positive outcome?
Three at the back will also bring back memories of when Antonio Conte brought this setup to the club and the team took the Premier League by storm, winning the league in 2015/16.
Now three at the back means Ben Chilwell and Malo Gusto will operate as wing-backs; meanwhile, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill and Axel Disasi are likely to occupy the remaining spots. The setup could also see us drop to a five man backline while defending, adding numbers to the equation.
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However, putting it to work shouldn’t be a problem, and let’s see how things work out with three at the back. If it doesn’t, then we are in for a long ride, and things could get even worse.