Chelsea's Transfer Window

Blues in the Balance ~ Key concepts!

A Thread! Going into the season I envisioned Chelsea as an incomplete 433/4231 team that needed to sign players who could play in both formations, as it allowed us to maximize our best players over what will without a doubt be a long season. I also mentioned the need for signing TOP mental/physical profile given the teams current stage (even the players we were linked to were consistently good profiles).

I think we did both well enough.

João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus

JP solves one of Chelsea's biggest problems ~ low blocks!

The one who Chelsea will improve, and vice versa!

Thread! Joao Pedro is a generalist with specialist traits where it hurts. He’s a player that always seeks to achieve ‘balance’ and his football IQ is a testament to that matched by his physical/technical gifts.

In this thread I discuss why he solves a massive issue for Chelsea: low blocks. This is not a scouting report, so will only highlight some of his key qualities that pertain to the topic at hand.

Chelsea vs PSG

Enzo Maresca offers a glimpse into the future, demonstrating the qualities of an elite coach capable of guiding Chelsea to major trophies, and the proof? Ask PSG.

A Thread! First of all we need to talk about the lineup. PSG do not possess any aerial/physical outlets and always play with a false 9, so emphasis on mobility rather than box defending or aerial/physical dominance. This is why Chalobah starting over Tosin was key.

Gusto starting was key because the spaces have always been in behind PSG's full backs, and you needed someone athletic to take advantage + handle their wingers 1v1.

The balance in the lineup in regards to box defending, natural aggressors, duel winners, runners, passers and profiling of players were all perfect. Perfectly set up to win all our 1v1 duels on/off the ball, yet had the right mix of control/exp/match winners.

As we dive deeper into the analysis, we will see why EM picked the perfect lineup.

Analysis : Chelsea vs Real Betis

Chelsea look to complete the European set ~ the student faces the master.

A Thread Real Betis finished 6th in Laliga with 60 points. They've given every single top 5 side in Laliga a tough game and its because they are genuinely a good team. Extremely well balanced to play multiple styles on/off the ball.

Will give a general overview of how they play and talk about what we can exploit.

Scouting Report: Andrey Santos - Brazil's Maestro for the Next Decade

Arguably the best hybrid 6/8 in the world. Strengths, weaknesses, and profile analyzed.

A Thread! pic.x.com/s9wtrhyxwc

Purposeful off-ball mover / Scanning

Constantly scanning in a 360 manner. As a result, you rarely see him caught blindsided on/off the ball and always ‘knows’. Santos is constantly on the move when he needs to be on the move. Trust in his ability to receive in tight scenarios and will offer himself as an option + has an image of the pitch, so often escapes through passing/wins fouls. Great tactical understanding to make 3rd man runs, what spaces to move into to drag markers, or when to stay still) or find himself in spatial advantages(manipulation), etc.

Tactical Analysis: Southampton vs Chelsea

Marescas calculated game plan dismantled the Saints! Why did Chelsea struggle in the first 15 minutes? Enzo's recent form? Etc..

A Thread! It was an intriguing XI from Maresca. One would expect he would rotate the squad, but he made 7 changes compared to the XI against Villa. A few got their first/second PL start(s) and a line up that lacked physicality in the front line.

As we go through the thread, we understand his rationale.

Analysis: FC Heidenheim 1846 vs. Chelsea

Chelsea faced their most difficult opponent in the Conference League yet and managed a deserved win.
- How did Chelsea play
- Player performances
- Future dynamics
Etc..

A Thread! Chelsea lined up in the usual 3-2-5 with Casadei and Veiga forming the pivot. We got to see Nkunku in the half spaces and Sancho playing RW for the first time at Chelsea. We were really good IP.

As you can see in the image below, HEI set up in a very aggressive mid-block that matched our numbers and tried to pounce on the counter whenever we lost the ball. Due to this shape, we consistently progressed play by getting Guiu to drop deep into tons of space and release a pass to one of the pivots or the 10s. We also looked to take advantage of their setup by using double movements and running into the space in behind. Guiu would often act like he was dropping and run in behind or drop to allow Nkunku to run in behind. We created about 2 big chances from this and many dangerous moments.

Why did Maresca persist with Gusto as the 10?

Many deemed the LIV game the first real test for Maresca and he made an intriguing tactical tweak by pushing Gusto into the 10 role. Since then, he’s done the same in all of Chelsea's PL games. Do we need a change? Etc.

A Thread! Let's first discuss how Chelsea played before this tweak. It was the usual 4-2-3-1 starting formation that turned into a 3-2-5/3-3-4 IP. As can be seen in the image Enzo Fernandez will often join the attacking 5 while Malo Gusto often inverted into midfield.

The half-space players in this system are box-box 8s. They have the duty of dropping deeper to aid build-up, joining the attacking line to help/score goals, counter-pressing, and tracking back in transitions. Palmer is good at doing what is required on the ball. He’s not very good at doing what is required off the ball. This is where Enzo comes in.

Chelsea’s Midfield Composition explained!

There has been many discourse around Chelseas midfield. I talk about whether a midfield 3 of Lavia/Caicedo/Enzo could work. Can a pivot of any of these 3 work ideally? If not, why? Do Chelsea already have solutions?, Etc..

A Thread! Let's start by giving a summary of their profiles(according to me IG).

Caicedo: Caicedo is a ball-winning box-box 8(can play as a destroyer 6). He’s got the ability to massively help in build-up, the second phase, an underrated passer in general, and a good off-ball playmaker. OOP he’s best when allowed to roam and excellent in short-medium spaces but good enough in large spaces. Excels in aerial and ground duels, good counter presser, blocks passing lanes well, can be overly aggressive stepping out, good defender outwide and can struggle when chasing(tends to foul a lot to prevent chasing). Overall Caicedo is our best OOP midfielder by a long mile.

Lavia: Lone 6 in possession. His quick turns, body control, excellent vision, pausa, and ball manipulation make him extremely press-resistant (It's almost impossible to get the ball off him). His short-medium passes are really good, especially low passes. This allows him to progress play in build-up and 2nd phase. OOP he’s good in the counter-pressing, blocks passing lanes well, and strong in the ground duels(will hold off on his aerial duels until I see more.) He’s good in short-medium spaces but lacks the athleticism to cover large spaces, can be overly aggressive in stepping out of the block, struggles when chasing, does not protect zone 14 enough(improving), easily gets dragged into joining the backline(improving ), and decent defender outwide.

Chelsea vs Arsenal.

Maresca continues to show his ability to potentially be an elite coach without the ball as he nullified Arsenal for the majority of the game. What Chelsea can further improve, and more analyzed.

A Thread! { Out of Possession }

Palmer/Jackson were tasked with both CBs, the wingers to the FBs, and the Caicedo to Rice with Lavia to Partey(at the start). From goal kicks we pressed in a zonal manner in which Jackson/Palmer looked to curve their run from the CBs side to block the passing lane and force the GK to the side/long. When we forced them to the side, we increased the pressure and sometimes went man2man.

As can be seen in the image, Ode would often drop deep and Colwill was hesitant to follow. This caused some issues I discuss in the next topic.

Pre-Match Analysis: Liverpool vs Chelsea

LIV is currently the best-performing team in the Premier League and Chelsea face them next. In this thread, I talk about their playstyle, weaknesses, and how Chelsea should set up to give themselves the best chance of winning

A Thread! {Build up]
So far, they've shown 2 literations of build up(atleast from the 4 games I watched) which is a 4-2-4 build up and a 4-1-5/4-3-3 build up. In the 4-2 they tend to have a pivot of Gravenberch and Mac Allister with the backline taking their normal positions. As with most teams that use this set-up, the aim is to bait teams into pressing and playing it through or over them. I must say, they are excellent at playing out from the back. The CBs and FBs are all good on the ball and they utilize the characteristics of their pivot extremely well. The emphasis is on creating numerical superiority as with all good build-up and the patterns they form to play through teams is exquisite. A very good side at moving the opposition pressing players through their passing and movements and opening you up. If you do decide to go man2man Gravens ball carrying, Trents passing, VVDs passing, Macs quick interchanges can easily carve you open.

They’ve had less success whenever they switched to the 4-1-5/4-3-3 build up. This set up affords them consistent threat in the half spaces while having a CF to occupy the CBs, however, its easier to force LIV long in this set up given the lack of bodies in the midfield and they are more susceptible to attacks when they lose the ball. The biggest trade-off is that it allows them attack with more men forward.

[Scouting Report] Samu Omorodion: The xG creator!

First of all lets get this out of the way. Some would have wanted someone more experienced and established like Osimhen which I totally understand because our team needs that. Osi was my first choice all season, but given the money involved I understand why the club has gone for Samu first.

While watching Samu I kept thinking “how can he move like that”, “his legs are a cheat”, “ what a monster”, etc. I was truly amazed at the specimen I was looking at. The way he glided on the pitch and moved left me stunned. I then told a friend of mine which I later tweeted that this kid is going to become one of the best ST’s in the world. Now, is he the finished product? No! Can he still offer something to Chelsea while he develops? Yes!

A Thread! Style of play: Runs the channels, box striker and target man. Similar profile to Osi, Guiu, Haaland, etc.

Strengths

[Physique]
Physical monster: Its the first thing that stands out about him and I am not being reactionary when I say it's like watching Haaland(without the acrobatics). He’s strong, quick, agile, goes to ground quickly, powerful runner with long limbs but can vary his steps in the box, maintain contact and BOOM. He’s already ready for the PL in this regard given how many UCL lvl CB’s he’s dominated(Araujo, Militao, Nacho, etc)

Due to his physical profile, you always see the opposition keeping an eye on him(⅔ players). This kind of gravitational pull will allow our wingers even more time on the ball plus enhance their ability to ghost into the box(Palmer/Nkunku especially will feast with someone like him). See the 3rd image. Because Samu has the Barca DF's pinned, look at the space in the half spaces.