Why Marc Cucurella Has Just Fixed Chelsea

It was Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham in the latest London derby, with Mauricio Pochettino's side's late run for a European place showing no signs of slowing down. But despite the absence of Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the pitch, The Blues looked as comfortable and as confident through the middle as they have all season. The reason? A brand new role for Marc Cucurella, and one he could thrive in long-term.
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[@wallacegachanja9219]

Cucurrela just proved why City wanted to sign him 😅

[@saimo2498]

Yeah no wonder pep wanted, he could’ve become a demon

[@Majikal.22]

Cucurella should be in the team every game

[@JobHans]

Never thought this way

[@elzoemalku4598]

This shows how brilliant of a coach Pep is

[@mercurial2734]

and we're literally using him the way pep uses his left backs 😂

[@StunnaJ11]

Here after the 5-0 against West Ham 💙

[@beatsbysirias]

same here

[@user-zb4es9wc2i]

Same here too 🤦

[@Terrymoks]

same here and same outcome from Cucurella

[@happytrailsgaming]

Here after squeaking by Nottingham…

[@TopherX4]

I’m 100% Poch in. The players seem like him, and there have been some very positive things from a very young squad that’s stuck together through a ton of disruption, injuries and just the pressure of being Chelsea. Let the man cook.

[@Ciaranchelseafc]

And after 2 or 3 losses you'll be Poch out. Recency bias.😊

[@yolevi875]

@@Ciaranchelseafc unfortunately a lot of our fanbase is like that. always blaming the manager for everything. We should've won the carabao cup and be playing in the fa cup final against united. None of those losses were on poch. My problems with poch rooted with his obsession with enzo-gallagher-caicedo midfield starting and finising every game and playing colwill LB when maatsen was there. Now, we are giving people deserving to start more chances like madueke and chalobah but also team balance looks so much better. finally, sacking poch this summer is the worst thing we can do, no good managers available in the market that wont be a downgrade. poch deserves a second season

[@YehudaEvreuklovic]

​@@yolevi875A bravo 💯💯💯 Those choices were always questionable. We definitely need to stick with him because he hasn't been bad at all. He always had like 27722762 injuries. Other teams have like 1 injury and they lose...

[@TopherX4]

@@Ciaranchelseafc if you say so

[@TopherX4]

@@yolevi875 I think the overuse of Conor, Enzo and Moi has been more of an over reliance. Remember that Lavia, Ugochukwo, Chukwuemeka have all been injured all season. Or as good as. Matos, Santos and Casadei all out on loan…. Who else could Poch play? Enzo has been playing thru a hernia since December so it’s not much of a surprise to me that they have looked tired or of it at points. Levi at LB did look a weird one but I think it was for height and defending in the air, we have the 2nd shortest squad in the league I think but Levi has played CB for a long time now so that point is a bit moot. Me being ‘Poch in’ isn’t cause there isn’t somebody better, imo he’s done a good job under the circumstances.

[@ShinnaDEW]

Weirdly Cucurella was rock solid when he had to play RB. Now he inverts and again great performance. Maybe he isnt a LB after all?🤣

[@chelseagodfather]

Cucurella grew up as a midfielder and was converted to left back at BHA. That’s why he’s not great at crossing compared to natural FBs but is comfortable on the ball, loves to zip passes in between the opposition and loves to mark & lunge into tackles like a DM. This makes sense why Pep wanted to sign him - for everything except providing width.

[@adammalbot26]

@@chelseagodfathercucu been playing left back since la liga where Brighton got him from

[@Juicerock12]

@@adammalbot26I’m pretty sure he played left midfield for getafe in a 4-4-2

[@YouSmokeChed]

@@Juicerock12I remember his LM fifa card

[@Tesmond256]

He has had a number of unrecognised MOM performances at left back. Also a couple of times where he was so dominant that teams avoided attacking that side so he didn’t have a chance to prove how good he was in a game. He’s only had a few spells where he hasn’t been generally in the right place at the right time but those were months ago.

[@Tobius211x]

The infuriating part of Cucurella's resurgance as an inverted fullback is we've seen Poch do it before... In pre-season where it was used to great effect and then binned for 9 months for seemingly no reason. The pessemistic side of me believes that this will be binned as soon as Chilwell returns, to the detriment of our play

[@aka_jr]

Preseason Chelsea was so cold, I dunno why he didn’t just keep running it with Palmer in the 10 instead of Nkunku

[@IrishSnwbrdr]

especially cause even with Thiago Silva gone reports are that the club is just going to keep pushing James and Chilwell as the leaders… even though they’re never available

[@jt19933]

@@aka_jr this is hindsight talking. Palmer and Nkunku are two different players and no one knew that Palmer would blow like this.

[@user-yi7dd4pm8g]

Chilly and Gusto (Reece if we ever see him again) are traditional fullbacks that bomb down the pitch wide and cross it in. Cucurella is not. So there’s differing playstyles depending on who’s on the pitch.

[@MrMickeyyy89]

nah DW, Chilwell can always play left wing....

[@just_kez]

I believe Cucu used to play in the midfield over in Spain during his youth

[@iamsamuel00]

Barcelona graduate too

[@barbarycorsair8473]

Yes I recall that aswell

[@kingtheo2641]

100%, I got a cucu 92 fifa overall at CM back at fifa 21

[@raunvk]

Who is Khuku?

[@akwilson1676]

La Masia graduate. They're something else at passing there. Rondo and everything.

[@jt19933]

Conor is press resistant. He's not pretty but he does have the technical capacity to retain the ball. We've seen it all season and it's like he's even gotten better. Hard to see how a Chelsea academy graduate could come through and be perceived to not have the ability to hold on the ball.

[@ZacharyShahan]

Agreed. He doesn’t normally have the vision for brilliant balls, but he’s extremely good at retaining possession in tough spots and passing the ball around quickly.

[@akwilson1676]

He was brilliant back in Palace. Ever since his return to Chelsea he's playing like a different player, like Poch and Potter just took all the juice out of him.

[@gunjankumar7210]

@@ZacharyShahan he has a nice first touch, not in a technical sense but due to his keen sense of awareness of his surroundings he very cleverly tends to divert the ball away from his marker and get some time and space for him. That's something good to start with, now he has to work on his technical skills to be able to exploit his opportunity with the ball.

[@olaabimbola4636]

​@gunjankumar7210 great observation. He almost always touches the ball into space on the half turn. He had poor awareness and halfturn under potter but was now figured it out. His touch is good enough now. He just needs to shoot more and adjust his body to take shots better. He really seems to be improving before our very eyes

[@adebisitahir3195]

Please stop lying😭

[@isaiaharrieta4482]

Dude I’m new to EPL. Watched Chelsea back in January and stuck with em. Really like this team. Also love this channel and your breakdowns this is so underrated

[@Sgt.Lincoln_Osiris]

Welcome! And being a Chelsea fan since the 90's, through their ups and downs, I must say it's not doing good for your heart and blood pressure, but it's all worth it! 😀

[@madaxwayne]

lol your in for a ride then good or bad its never dull at the bridge

[@caamafia]

💙

[@bryanmylosoko]

​@@madaxwayneBeen a Rollercoaster of emotions with Chelsea. Still wouldn't want it any other way.

[@fvg_pack6370]

Welcome, did the same thing in the 2014 szn when we were shit, been in love ever since

[@Jheekay7]

yessssss more Chelsea content . Thanks Adam appreciate this

[@mikeodeh7392]

More Chelsea content and I will subscribe. Please ❤.

[@am-vw2qk]

been screaming for this change for ages

[@makharena5553]

🧢

[@SonGoku-fc7ci]

​@@makharena5553we've been begging for poch to use his pre season system since gameweek 1 bro

[@OC_]

​@@makharena5553 we (Chelsea fans) saw this tactical setup in pre-season and it was pretty effective back then too. Poch just never used it since then for whatever reason.

[@terrypietru8012]

​@@OC_played chillwell in exactly that position early in the season.

[@OC_]

@@terrypietru8012 all I remember seeing was Chilwell playing LW and Colwill at LB

[@jonezy911L]

Good to see Cucurella playing well, Poch should stay there's been clear signs of improvement not without inconsistencies but I really don't want to start fresh again

[@victorian-dad]

Just NO!

[@olaobadare]

2:31 Caicedo’s forward passing is superb

[@Zorion_]

Facts I feel like no one talks about the beautiful passes he makes every match.

[@olaobadare]

@@Zorion_ build up from the midfield always starts with him and counter attacks yield so much fruit when he plays the first pass

[@dianmobo]

I feel like people just downplay it as “he’s doing what he needs to for the money WE paid.”

[@olaobadare]

@@dianmobo Even though he’s been the best defensive minded midfielder in the league smh 🤦🏾‍♂️ the world is gonna be surprised when Chelsea become a world beating team

[@crzeval]

Great video. Surprised you didn't elaborate much on how this system opened up Caicedo's box to box capabilities, allowing him to tackle, intercept and make plays.

[@petertimberlake6155]

I always imagine Pochettino watching these videos and taking notes

[@anthonyekanem1340]

He doesn't 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@roykimochi365]

Pochettino has a coach team which maybe better than him

[@zynjargo4788]

Easier said than done....this guy should be the greatest coach ever in history of football if only he can interprete his brain on the pitch....ohh wait he's not even managing any team 🙃.

[@georgep2149]

Cucus hair covering half the thumbnail.

[@quabenamonster3137]

😂😂😂

[@virupakshawalla5734]

I like Adams analysis and wit, but he sees geniuses behind ever bush, bus or low block 😂

[@_iamZaki]

Sometimes us Chelsea fans forget that there were periods under Tuchel, Potter, and Lampard when the team was playing depressing football. I mean, we were really bad. Our wins were mostly marginal, our attackers lacked chemistry, and none of those coaches seemed able or capable of fixing it. Under Poch, it's very inconsistent, I agree, but there have been some visible improvements. We've become a regularly scoring team and playing beautiful football. We also have to remember that most of these players are experiencing top-flight English football for the first time, and they are the youngest team in the league. Remember the 4-1 win at Tottenham, the fantastic 4-4 draw at City, and Palmer's hat-trick against United. The truth is that Poch has significantly improved these players individually and as a team, and it's right that he continues. This team will achieve a lot. Let's support them.

[@Wonderscope1]

Great content and most importantly the way you present it is amazing. Thanks a lot. Always looking forward to videos of your channel.

[@FourFourTwo]

🤝🏻

[@seanlow2033]

Poch has his limitations, but there have been enough bright moments that show he has the ability to bring this young g Chelsea side up. Hope Chelsea gives him time.

[@hendrixinfinity3992]

he's an actual inverted fullback. Trent, Stones, Zinny, Kiwior, and all the rest are for the most part defenders who are good on the ball and can play a pass with varying degrees of defensive ability. Most of them are CDMs or industrious CMs tbh. Cucurella is a good defender with great athleticism, can come inside, make overlapping and underlapping runs and can play a cross. Good first touch too.

[@giegie77654]

i think we need to keep poch next season, we’ve been much improved recently and the last thing these players need is a disruption to the flow and familiarity

[@FourFourTwo]

Hard agree 🤝🏻

[@dcfc7156]

I think this could really benefit Enzo as well playing in that slightly freer role that gallagher then operated in and assist in breaking low blocks while still keeping a better defensive shape and not being so open to counter attacks through the middle as we have been

[@RasenRendanX]

Love the Chelsea videos bro. Since pre season whe when I found your channel

[@pepa007]

Enzo is the new Fabregas and our best player after Palmer. One of the best in PL and worldwide in his position, in fact. Poch being unable to take advantage of that is utterly frustrating. It reminds me of Poch being unable to get the best out of Messi...

[@Emzy23]

Comparing Enzo to Messi ❤😂

[@pepa007]

@@Emzy23 I'm not comparing Enzo to Messi. Read again, slowly.

[@Emzy23]

@@pepa007 comparing poch ability to manage Messi properly in relation to Enzo then? Do you think everyone here is a robot mate?

[@Emzy23]

Messi didn't give a F about PSG. Messi and Enzo situation is completely different

[@pepa007]

@@Emzy23 talking about Poch’s (in)ability to make use of top notch players served to him on silver plate.

[@danwaters4139]

What I dont understand is if Poch wants Enzo to push up so high WHY did he not have Cucurella invert into midfield before? It would solve the problem of leaving Caicedo isolated and means Enzo can get forward knowing he has cover behind him. It's honestly ridiculous that it has taken Poch until the end of the season when we have 14 injuries and with his job on the line to make such an easy and basic tactical shift to solve the issues we have had all season.

[@luismontesinos3054]

Because he was playing Enzo in that position and Cucu was injured for a good part of the season

[@aaaaaaa4750]

Terrible coach, been asking the same question, especially considering the fact that he used similar system in preseason just to tease us or something. He is so stubborn

[@omoruyiodosa5495]

When did Cucu return from injury and with Gusto at RB attacking how can Cucu invert to midfield when he was playing LCB? We’re currently using 3 CB’s so it’s easy to use Cucu inverted. Poch did it with Colwill as inverted LB/LCB and Gusto attacking but people called for his head for playing Colwill at LB without understanding the tactics behind it. When Gusto and James return Cucu will be inverting to LCB with James/Gusto attacking which will leave us with the Enzo problem again except we play a 433 with a CDM..

[@danwaters4139]

@omoruyiodosa5495 it doesn't matter who Poch puts in the pivot if he has everyone pressing so high with out somone covering the midfield that's the whole point. It leaves a huge hole in the midfield leaving Ciacedo exposed. If he played Colwil LB inverting to LCB and James inverting into midfield then one of the pivots can push as high as he wants. If he wants attacking wing backs he should either just play a back 5 or not have one of the pivots pressing so high, there needs to be at least 2 in the midfield closer together. This is why I'd rather someone like Amorim as manager because he plays a 343 system that would better suit the players we have. The players we have don't fit what Poch has been trying to do all season ESPECIALLY with all the injuries we have had.

[@aaaaaaa4750]

@@danwaters4139 this this this

[@scraps7624]

Your analysis is always top notch, by far the best football content on youtube!

[@techmonkey11]

Amazing analysis, which goes far more in depth than any of the mainstream studios. Well done, thanks for the video!

[@williamrowlands9376]

Stunningly good analysis. First time watcher, and subscribing as a result of this vid

[@gabrielat2693]

I’m new to PL fútbol since visiting UK two years back, took up following Chelsea. Thanks for this clear video and simple to understand graphics to explain the tactics; makes me love fútbol more!

[@cristalll8445]

the mudryk's role in this formation is very important too,id say even key role,bc he receives the ball on the left and from then he can chip pass onto jackson or outplay the opposite side with his dribbling,also he can pass to madueke as his passing range is great,sometimes mudryk reminds me de bruyne,but with higher pace.

[@erk9518]

Exactly! And mudryk seems willing to hang back when ball is lost which give Cucu protection on counter: Couldnt do this on the right. Very happy Mischa is finding his Chelsea role

[@JD-fb5ps]

It has been easy for a lot of our supporters to dig out Mischa for some underwhelming games but we let Salah and De Bruyne go under similar circumstances, this time I really hope we show patience and trust and let Mudryk grow into a world beater in our team rather than fucking off to Italy and then winning titles for our rivals

[@shannon6666]

Just found this channel, wonderful explanation and analysis, thank you! Conor gets ridiculous disrespect one of my favourite players & so glad Cucurella is finally shining. Do I dare dream we might end the season with a European spot 👀🤞

[@micahbernard_Chelseafc]

He did that in pre season but stopped it as the season began,poch shot himself in the foot

[@balkanpartizan9652]

yknow ive been a chelsea fan since i was 5 years old (21 now) and after 5 season (including ucl winning season) im crying tears of joy because it feels like my team has found its identity

[@darhaha3391]

U got a new sub. Great analysis.

[@Vinceras]

Holy chit...I guess I've been under a rock and didn't know that Clery is no longer with Whatculture. Been wondering why I haven't seen you in forever. Instant subscribe! Hope you've been well mate! The only thing I'll add is that there was some Tottenham play on Cucu's side that got through...Johnson had two superb crosses that got through and would have been walk in goals for Son if not for two fantastic parries by Petrovic. Other than that though, he was STELLAR, and I'm loving this new look for him. And I've been one of those who has been super critical of Cucu for years now. He's won me over.

[@anthonymurphy7875]

Great analysis, thank you 😊

[@leeamena122]

I’ve always been Poch in because, even when we were losing I could see the changes and turn around beginning to happen We have to be a little patient but it will Be worth it

[@natsemor4256]

Insane video love it❤

[@oyedejitimothysegun2131]

Curcurrela was indeed excellent yesterday. Those overlaps and concentration wowed me.

[@shaunbuchanan9070]

💯 Cucurella has been terrific Enzo has to sit down and earn his way back into the team.

[@omoruyiodosa5495]

I think when everyone is fit we can use a 433 with a CDM(Lavia/Ugochukwu) who can drop deep to form a back 3 while RJ push up as RWB and Cucurella inverts into midfield with Caicedo freeing up space for Enzo to move up into the LHS while the LW stay wide. Or Cucurella forms the back 3, Lavia and Caicedo form the Pivot with James high and Palmer infield as a 10. James can also invert pushing Enzo and Caicedo into the half spaces with the wingers keeping the width. The flexibility of the system will rely on the fitness of the players. Santos, Ugochukwu, Gallagher as rotation for Enzo, Lavia, Caicedo and loan Caicede to Starsburg. Nkuku, Mudryk, Carney LW, Palmer, Madueke, Carney RW. Nkuku and Jackson CF( keep Lukaku to save cost of not selling Gallagher and Chaloboa). Buy experienced CB, watch Chillwell fitness till January then decide on a sale. If we get Nico Williams we loan Mudryk to Starburg..

[@lockaskhamonezhad676]

hes a spanish talent from the barca academy and wanted by Pep guardiola himself couldnt wait to see him in this inverted fullback role because he is aggresive and he strings decent passes together

[@obinnaochiagha1097]

Cucurella brought 3 things to that midfield that fixed everything (whenever he inverts): - counter-pressing (above all) - crisp passing - legs

[@user-zc4oz5wo8j]

Guess Pochettino is a wizard after all. To be able to twitch tactics, Cucurella is mature enough now for Chelsea we should keep him. Infact we shall keep majority of those boys

[@calumhughes5072]

Been saying this for a while. Poch is a very very talented manager and has a very difficult job in dealing with all the change that has happened to Chelsea over the last 2 years. He’s steadied the ship, played attractive football and now things are really beginning to click he’s getting the results we need and deserve. A cup final and semi final is decent plus a top half finish is a very good season imo, considering the state of the club at the start of the season. Most players deserve to stay, bar a couple (Badiashile, Sterling) who aren’t good enough. But on the whole, the squad is very good and the main problem is keeping them all fit and available. Any fan saying Poch out either doesn’t actually watch Chelsea, or doesn’t understand that success doesn’t just magically happen in one season.

[@positivereminder2384]

Do you all remember the start of this season, when we struggled so much with the low block? It was a disaster, but Poch figured it out and we are scoring goals now. Good goals. Injuries, Mudryk not performing, Jackson sometimes not scoring very important goals, Sterling dribbling himself and bumping into enemy players, ... I am just saying that if we can not get Hansi Flick next season, then there is no better manager out there who will do a better job with these young players than Poch. So, I would rather Pochettino stay for one more season. If the next season is not better, it will cost us less money to sack him, than now. I would like to see how we play the 3 last games, then I will form my final opinion. Ideal case: Tottenham loses 2 more games, Utd loses the Final and 1 League game and we win all remaining games. Europa league is ours. But we will see ...

[@CharlesRossGX]

United already lost ❤✅️

[@positivereminder2384]

@@CharlesRossGX crazy bro. I did not expect that. Great. Would love for Tottenham to lose 2 games at least and we win all. Ofc haha dream

[@kouassiserge4729]

Merci pour la chaîne. Je dirai l'absence ENZO est un facteur réussite. Ça donne moins de pression au joueur et plus d'avance a ceux qui ont une bonne vision de la première League je suis pas surpris par Cucurella Brighton il y a du jeu et plusieurs système au cour d'un match. Je suis heureux pour lui🎉🎉🎉

[@garyamador2072]

Cucurella's renaissance & Gusto's emergence may just have rendered James & Chilwell redundant, or relegated both skipper & VC to the subs bench.

[@andrespacheco5844]

Incredible videos!

[@mrinformationer]

Who's here after west ham 5nil win

[@juantokyo_]

Golden analysis

[@CerealScientist]

I think that the situation with Cucu inverted is a situational thing. I think that it actually allows Enzo to be freed from that deeper role when he returns because Cucu can provide that kinda outlet

[@420_Emissary]

Time is just what this team needs. Time with each other and time with Poch. Klopp's gegen-pressing didn't set in instantly nor did Pep's tiki taka. No manager will do any better with this team. It's just the growing pains of a young squad. Tactics may not be visible in every game, no consistency, chemistry and cohesion missing etc. We forget that even the best of players need to be settled not only on the field but off it too. New players, new environments and new surroundings. A new culture and homestead, add to the mix that the majority are youngsters too makes it difficult to adapt immediately. Sure, people will always point to the amount spent and mention that it should be relative to the success but this is a unique scenario. Boehly and co. not only invested in the first team but largely the potential second team which are either out on loan youngsters (Datro Fofana, Gabriel, Santos, Washington, Hutchinson etc.) or backups (Cucurella, Petrovic, Lavia, Ugochukwu, Chukwuemeka etc.). They tried to condense five years worth of work, scouting and development into a short space of time. Every time we sack a manager the whole process resets, this is essentially our first year under Poch, including different players once again. Projects like these need time to breathe. Sadly us football fans are impatient. Klopp, Pep and Arteta all had mediocre first seasons in charge with a somewhat more stable group of players and backroom operations than what we have had for the past couple of years. We probably have the most experienced and emotionally adept coach to deal with this core. No other manager will have the patience to handle this group as well as Poch has, period. Most coaches would constantly complain about the inexperience, scrap the project, start again with new players and thus the cycle continues yet Poch is dealing with it well enough. He understands that it's a process. Forget comparing him to his Spurs days, we're a basket case of a club at the moment where even the most tactically astute would suffer. The team speak highly of his man management. For a squad of this size, it's commendable that he's held the team together as well as maintain morale throughout. No other coach would deal with a young group and still give the likes of Golding, Gilchrist, Matos and Castledine a chance. Added to his push to build an English core of James, Chilwell, Colwill, Palmer and he's constant appreciation of Gallagher, he is probably the one person at the club who is striving to maintain Chelsea's recent traditions. Give this team and coach three years, same spine of players, no major overhauls then we can truly assess what we have.

[@Bijan93]

Enzo's Injury is a blessing to Pochetino

[@Tsar-db6gq]

enzo must play in all phases. He needs to be there for build up and then also progress up the pitch. He truly has best-midfielder capabilities, he has the quality and traits to play in all phases.

[@makei89]

Good analysis 👍

[@BluePoppies05]

I'll come back and tell you if we got better after Bornemouth. We just lost to Arsenal after almost rattling City out of the FA Cup. I can't tell yet. Thank you for the analysis. I'd love to become more tactics literate and this video definitely helps me pay more attention to players' movements. I just subscribed 🫡

[@shaqtaku]

Chelsea are being memed to death on youtube with those lame .exe compilations but this is the only channel that takes them seriously, so thank you

[@thedj9553]

I only watch Adam Clery videos.

[@william_SMMA]

Me too. He should have his own channel

[@dappemc]

Great analysis

[@asamoahdaniel6924]

I really love your videos

[@alfandosavant4639]

So, he's basically a box-to-box midfielder now? Usually an inverted fullback would just sit in position as a rest defense, and this bloke runs for every opportunity as long as there's an opening gap in front of him.

[@Tesmond256]

Why has Sterling gone from the only player who looked like he could play football to struggling to hit the target? Seems strange given how many players tend to peak around 28.

[@paulnova7536]

Nice and positive a pleasent change.

[@lnomolas3427]

Subbuteo! I have a whole collection of Subbuteo teams, goals, everything. Haven't seen it in years!

[@CH33KYiZninj4]

cancelo should be on chelseas wish list if they want an iwb, he can also play rb which would be great cover.

[@videocompletesofianesofian8996]

You should do a video "Why Spurs are conceding a lot from set pieces"

[@sohaib-qm5cx]

From what i seeing without seeing your video he have provided more midfield options so badiashile chalobah and silva can play 3 cb provideing them more closure for short passing

[@frankrogers3489]

Poch , keep it going please

[@Omnipotentmonkey]

The only other caveat I'd add is that This shape, with Palmer drifting right, also allowed Jackson to drift left where he was comfortable. It was more like a 3-2-1-4 or 3-2-1-2-2 (With Jackson and Palmer in the centre dropping deeper) as opposed to Pep's 3-2-4-1

[@sausageandbeanmelt4634]

@Omnipotentmonkey No.

[@Omnipotentmonkey]

@@sausageandbeanmelt4634 Yes, check the heatmaps and average position charts,

[@backupdancer3720]

@Omnipotentmonkey No. You rely on your heat maps but don't understand how to read them... A heat map of my home would show me in bed for almost 1/3 of the day - but nothing was happening. Go back, watch the games, and tell me the starting position of the Jackson and the other attacking players in transition or early phases of attacks: Jackson is central.

[@Omnipotentmonkey]

@@backupdancer3720 a heatmap of your home isn't based on a 90 minute sample of activity. Nope, he drifted hard to the left, he actually basically ALWAYS drifts left. it's where he likes to operate regardless, latently a left-winger. I have working eyes, and evidence to back them up, you've got zilch.

[@backupdancer3720]

@Omnipotentmonkey Again, a heatmap is a tool: it can be switched/weighted to show a range of actions: possession, transition, shooting, passing, even where players most possession. Go back and analyse the Everton, Villa, Spurs and West Ham games... It is clear that in transition and early in attacks, the wide players occupy the wings, and Jackson was ordered to play centrally ESPECIALLY in this new system. Palmer and Gallagher then roam to create overloads, second opportunities, and build attacks. You cannot read a single heat map and call it the truth.

[@2JOfficial]

The genius way Chelsea beat Tottenham: Tottenham can't defend set pieces. No need for analysis guys.

[@keanuwamae9262]

Chelsea were the better team overall tho. Watch the video

[@Pisschangoatsmeller]

Thanks for that loll

[@darlingtonemmanuel2709]

You have to also win set pieces to score with it, if Cucurella wasn’t there to win the free kick the second goal wouldn’t have come

[@paradoxmartin1283]

Yes but how many teams stop them from scoring ? 🤔

[@nicobailey3264]

​@keanuwamae9262 but they didn't score as usual so

[@thesanchezNY]

Love this show

[@Zstorytimes]

I did this in my masters league b4, I had four players up front, c Wilson as CF a random player named komol in RW, sancho in LW then havertz as a winger too close to komol but doesn’t make runs into the left wing, instead he bring the ball to the middle or make a pass down to the wing again to komol so when a cross comes in it’s gonna be c Wilson and havertz waiting for a header, but there wasn’t any inverted fall backs to my midfield was very weak and my left back was playing so high I conceded a lot of goals

[@criptrl]

I love cucrella he was always meant to play the inverted role cause when he previously played he was just a basic LB and would never really play inverted

[@chrismcelligott-od5wc]

With Cucurella coming into midfield playing as he is now a Nkunku or truly effective left sided attacker could lead to great and promising things for Chelsea. Enzo and Gallagher can play in the same midfield as Caicedo if they both play as 8's not designated 6 and 10. Traditional 8's where when one advances the other stays a little further back

[@MaxMan8998]

What happens when gusto/james is back and you can’t have a “back 3”?

[@BradenChristensen]

Some part of me says to keep it the way we have it now while it works, "If it aint broke don't fix it"

[@sunnyakanimoh5937]

James has to go into midfield in my opinion, he can easily do that. It will help us have him and his technical ability on the pitch and also help him stay injury free because all that bombing up and down the flank takes its toll.

[@BradenChristensen]

@@sunnyakanimoh5937 Yes but is he better as a DM than our current midfielders?

[@nathanezigbo2186]

How would this work with an attacking full back in James/ gusto coming back? And do you think Enzo would replace Gallagher in that role when he’s fit?

[@H-When]

We were on a bit of a winning run when Gusto came in for Reece James earlier in the season. But they rushed RJ back in and we started losing again. Poch won't stick to his guns cause the board will pressure him to play certain players

[@2narmy62]

Enormous praise for Sideshow Bob

[@Iraultzailea]

I’d love to know if the Enzo Solution is for him to be retrained as a Libero in a back 3? He’s positionally intelligent & can put a tackle in, but would have freedom to roam forward without disrupting the Gallagher/Caicedo pivot. Would enable more orthodox wingbacks for when Chillwell & James are back, which suits their game better 🤔

[@dbricker123]

excellent info, so helpful for pub chat and explainging to my wife why we keep watching Chelsea... Poch has lifted good ideas from Pep wholesale, and who cares? They work! Poch can figure out what to do with Enzo when he is fit again.

[@TheMrslick123]

I’ve always thought enzo has had great timing with his late runs, especially when we saw this formation earlier in the season. The passes just weren’t getting to him, we have definitely gelled more since then

[@crazviolin5385]

Poch stays. You can see something is happening with the team. And Cucurela is our most improved player. Fine tuning and he will own that left back position. Chiwell no for me

[@altskeptic]

Proved it again V West ham

[@MrImabowss]

Yesterday, Cucurella was inverting and Gallagher would often step out to the left to receive the ball and try to progress it. Mudryk was then moving in field into the 8 position in order to let Gallagher do this. This is because against Spurs, when Mudryk would receive the ball in the LM position he would often lose it. If we replicate the exact same setup vs West Ham against another opponent with Enzo instead of Gallagher, we would be even better.

[@samuelakingbola4143]

Ok you convinced me to hit the button 🎉

[@betu4ever]

Good video

[@mujadissick7071]

We need to applaud Poch for this tactic..not just criticise him when he fails

[@eian_]

No idea how to feel about Poch now. This decision (especially after this West Ham match) was remarkable

[@kingofthebridge8339]

He was always a liability in defence so maybe DM would work well for him. This is crazy though everytime he drops in the whole left is open.

[@Djaylow]

even with West Ham, those inverted runs into the middle helped the team out.

[@LucA-lw2bm]

great video just with the arsenal thing with zinchenko and kiwior - the timber sigining was that player and is much better than cucurella - is slighly less maybe just as technical and good on the ball as zinchenko and amazing in defence like kiwior even better

[@Bradlolnick]

The title of this video is on point, if gusto and Marc could take turns doing it then they can confuse their opponent every single game.

[@TheKatchutes]

I don’t know why no one discusses the possibility of Caicedo playing more of the Gallagher role, since he’s dogged and tenacious, can also receive in tight spaces, can pass better than Gallagher too, and have Enzo playing deeper with cucurella, where he was so good in the potter era!

[@syuk1882]

The truth is enzo are similar to caicedo hence they cant play together at the same time.Might need tactical tweak to allow both to play together

[@BradenChristensen]

Yeah, it will be much easier when Lavia is back, but maybe Cucu inverting can free enzo to go forward...? maybe play enzo as a CAM and Gallagher as a dm, and let him roam as a box to box while Cucu inverts

[@syuk1882]

@@BradenChristensen agree and thats the craziest part Chelsea have so many great players that can play tons of playstyle if require.Poch should be competing for league title if everyone is fit

[@pmpdaddyt1218]

What you're missing is a Healthy Reece James can invert from the opposite side of he replaces Chalobah...

[@austinsmith9579]

The Enzo situation is the same as it was with Thiago Silva. They are both world-class players, that lack a bit of athleticism and speed, which make it difficult for poch to make it his team. Cucurella and other center backs allow Chelsea to play more pressing football at a faster speed. This is the biggest problem with Chelsea, they have many different profiles that do not fit well together. It will be interesting to see what Chelsea do next year with the healthy squad and many options. profiles that do not fit well together. It will be interesting to see what Chelsea do next year with the healthy squad and many options.

[@azuremk__3101]

I just hope this system still works when Enzo returns. I also hope that Cucurella will keep his position over Chilwell. Chilwell is decent but what Cucurella offers this team is insane!

[@marcosespera1111]

I have loved what I've seen from Chelsea the last 1 and 1/2 games of play. This inverted fullback is a stroke of genius and it's one of those things where teams can know they're going to do it, but still the way you have to beat it is find a way to get a ball up over the top and into the wide channels. And that's the very thing that they're preventing. My only worry and hang up is of course the elephant in the room of Enzo Fernandez. He is so talented but over the last week I've tried to think how he fits into this system comfortably to thrive, but I can't figure it out. The most damning thing I think for him is how good Caicedo has looked without Enzo next to him...

[@omoruyiodosa5495]

Enzo and Caicedo are similar box to box midfielders who need a CDM sitter behind them so to utilize them we’ll need to play a 433 with them as 8’s.. With Gusto at RB attacking how can Cucu invert to midfield? We’re currently using 3 CB’s so it’s easy to use Cucu inverted. Poch did it with Colwill as inverted LB/LCB and Gusto attacking but people called for his head for playing Colwill at LB without understanding the tactics behind it. When Gusto and James return Cucu will be inverting to LCB with James/Gusto attacking which will leave us with the Enzo problem again except we play a 433 with a CDM..

[@aidanjanemcintosh6919]

Contrary to their #9, Chelsea has always been great thanks to their #3. We know how great Ash was, and the reason Chelsea keep producing positive results after Ashley Cole's era was because Alonso always scored when the others couldn't. Now, Ash and Alonso were two very different #3, and so is Cucurella now. I hope he can make such a foundation for seasons to come.

[@chiefvon3068]

I've always liked cucurella. I was happy when city couldn't get him and always consideted him the first name I'd go for if we were to replace Robbo