Chelsea have averaged 59.4% to this point this season (the sixth highest within the league), scoring eight objectives of their opening 4 video games, solely bettered by Manchester Metropolis’s 11 objectives.
Six of these objectives 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 obtained on the scoresheet on his return to Chelsea blue.
Nonetheless, they’ve additionally conceded 5 objectives within the opening 4 video games, nonetheless displaying indicators of defensive vulnerability, one thing Maresca might want to work on additional if Chelsea wish to solidify a spot within the high 4.
As such, a change within the backline may very well 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 instances enjoying 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 objectives, 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 had 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 strains and discover passes into the midfielders.
With this being stated, 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 artistic type.
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, one in every of them being the flexibility 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 could permit Chelsea to proceed inverting their right-side fullback (as that they had with Gusto), holding the staff dynamic acquainted. Caicedo has all of the required qualities, together with ball retention, passing capability, 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 Remaining 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 flexibility to take the ball in tight areas and play by the strains below strain. However he additionally affords defensive safety, making 3.42 tackles per 90, and a couple of.11 interceptions per 90, displaying his willingness to get his arms soiled.
By enjoying Caicedo on this function, it’s going to permit Chelsea to area one other midfielder/attacker, with the Ecuador midfielder inverting centrally alongside Enzo Fernandez for instance, probably permitting for the inclusion of Christopher Nkunku as a complicated quantity eight.
Whereas it stays to be seen if Maresca will truly undertake this strategy on Saturday, this tactical tweak is definitely one thing to contemplate for the conflict on the London Stadium.
