Thomas Tuchel decided to surprise everyone on Sunday afternoon by lining up in yet another different formation for the first time as a starting Xl since he’s been Chelsea manager.
The Blues boss described it as a 4-1-4-1 formation, but it could also be seen as a 4-3-3 with both Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech playing as wingers.
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It was a slow start but once Chelsea got in the swing of things they really thrived in this formation, and this is largely because a good handful of the players are more comfortable in this formation and it is where they are at their strongest.
The aforementioned Hudson-Odoi didn’t have a great first half, but in the second half he really stepped it up and played very well. Ziyech on the right was really good all game and got the Man of the Match award. Both of them combined superbly for Chelsea’s first goal, and it comes as no surprise with them both playing in their preferred positions where they will always be at their strongest.
Ziyech was literally signed by Chelsea to play on the right wing in a 4-3-3 formation by Frank Lampard, but this is the first time he has been selected there by Tuchel due to using different systems.
Mason Mount is another who thrives in a 4-3-3 due to playing in a deeper 8 role, rather than the 10. He always looks more comfortable when playing a little deeper and he was another on great form on Sunday.
The captain Cesar Azpilicueta as well is a lot less over-stretched when playing as a right full back rather than a wing back, being his most natural position.
It was certainly very interesting to see it and I don’t think it will be the last time.
