Match Preview
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| Chelsea welcome Burnley to Stamford Bridge in the premier league on Sunday |
A third straight home fixture for Chelsea as Burnley from the North-West of England arrive in South West London. Head coach Thomas Tuchel's second match in charge is the first game kicking off in daylight since November last year.
Hosting a robust claret over a Sunday lunch appears to sound as if the halcyon days are as good as it gets in lockdown, The main course being served is Chelsea vs Burnley at Stamford Bridge which pips the third longest serving coach across the English system Sean Dyche against most recent arrival Thomas Tuchel.
Despite being dominant with the ball on Wednesday night against Wolves this was not enough to hand Thomas Tuchel a winning start to his tenure at Chelsea, however, the Bavarian has had more days in order to instil his approach in order to prepare for his second consecutive league game at Stamford Bridge. Tuchel said 'if we take care of our performances then results will come.'
For the Lancastrians this is their second visit to London in the space of eight days. Whilst Chelsea saw of Luton Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup, Burnley were at Craven Cottage where they eliminated Fulham, whilst winning three out their past 4 league games in the capital.
Chelsea though, are looking for a fourth consecutive win against Burnley, and hold a six game unbeaten run against the visitors. The game itself could well provide a contrast in playing styles: on Wednesday Tuchel's team registered the highest amount of possession and accurate pass completion ever recorded in the premier league by a Chelsea team, whilst in stark contrast the Clarets have registered the fewest completions as well as the third lowest control of the ball.
Chelsea hope to complete the league double over Burnley for the second consecutive season.
Team news
What exactly did we learn from Thomas Tuchel's first game in charge apart from showing his passion on the sideline which will surely be engaging to fans once they are allowed back? We know he has already expressed ease with the technical, complex and emotional requirements of his new job, he wants energy, effectiveness and success. After this the soft side of success otherwise referred to as easy on the eye performances will come over time.
Chelsea set up with a three at back system on Wednesday, this is a formation the Blues have played in two of their past meetings against Wolves, the set up comprised of two central midfielders, two pushed-on wing backs, two narrower forwards and a striker.
The set-up resulted in the wing-backs seeing a lot of the ball with Callum Hudson-Odoi taking to the new position brilliantly. After 30 minutes of intensity through keeping and recovering possession high up the pitch. Chelsea's domination lacked the quality to carve open a resilient. Wolves defence.
The Blues possession of 79% and 832 completed passes were both the highest achieved by Chelsea in a premier league season since the beginning of records in 2003/04. Where Tuchel may have been less satisfied was with his teams performance between and beyond Wolves lines.
Chelsea's head coach admitted that his team selection of experience first team players was very harsh on the young and hungry players, substitutes Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic creating late flurry of openings which confirmed Tuchel's positive impression of the quality of the Cobham crew.
Man of the match at Wolves Callum Hudson-Odoi revealed that Tuchel has asked the he and the other attacking players be more direct, and keep pushing and probing, and apply a variety of final-pass options. This proved to be a fruitless on the night despite opportunities for him, Ben Chilwell , Matteo Kovacic and Kai Havertz who unluckily was denied a last minute winner with a header.
Whilst defending against timid yet dangerous opponents, Chelsea always looked comfortable and avoided the direct counter-attacks which have been damaging for them this season.
Tuchel already mentioned how much he welcomed the return of N'Golo Kante, a player who he has admired for many years. He views the French world cup winner as a double-six -one of two central midfielders. Meanwhile goalkeeper Edouard Mendy's eighth clean sheet means that only Manchester City's Ederson has a higher rate per match during this season.
The Bavarian head coach will now have more training sessions in order to impose his philosophy on a squad which he will be more familiar with, and then refine his tactics further against another defensive team.
How Chelsea could possibly line up against Burnley
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| Source: Sportsmole |
On Wednesday night Tuchel deployed a 3-4-3 system against Wolves, however, there is a strong chance that the head coach may revert to a back four for Sunday's clash with Burnley.
Since the 3rd of January N'Golo Kante has not featured for Chelsea in the premier league due to a combination of a hamstring problem and a suspension, However the French international has returned to training and could come into the starting XI for Tuchel's second match in charge.
Mason Mount could be recalled to the starting line-up, there was a sense of surprise when Mount a player in form for Chelsea was left out of the starting X1 at Wolves, Whilst both Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic are pushing for a starting place in the starting XI.
There is a possibility that both Olivier Giroud and Kai Havertz drop to the bench, whilst Callum Hudson-Odoi is the preferred option to Hakim Ziyech on the wing for the Blues.
Finally there is also a possibility of Jorginho getting the nod over Matteo Kovacic in the middle of the park.
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