Head coach Mauricio Pochettino of Chelsea is reportedly contemplating altering the team’s formation following a recent dip in performance. Despite a solid run of five wins in seven matches across various competitions, the Blues are currently enduring a three-game winless streak.
Their recent struggles include a goalless draw against Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round, followed by consecutive defeats against Liverpool (4-1) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-2). This string of poor results has seen Chelsea concede a total of 39 goals in 23 Premier League fixtures, leaving them in 11th place in the standings.
Reports suggest that Pochettino’s position as head coach is not entirely secure, despite a win ratio of 45%, slightly higher than Graham Potter’s. Chelsea’s away form has been particularly problematic during the 2023-24 season, and they now face challenging away fixtures against Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Manchester City.
To address their defensive issues, Pochettino is considering a shift to a back three formation, as reported by the Evening Standard. This tactical adjustment would aim to provide more stability at the back and potentially unleash the attacking prowess of players like Ben Chilwell.
Chilwell, who recently returned from injury, could benefit from a system with wing-backs, allowing him greater freedom to join the attack. The potential switch would also impact players like Malo Gusto on the opposite flank, while providing flexibility in central defense with options like Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, or Trevoh Chalobah.
Pochettino hinted at possible tactical changes during a post-match press conference, indicating his willingness to explore different approaches to improve the team’s performance.
Chelsea’s immediate challenge awaits them at Villa Park, where they face an in-form Aston Villa side that recently secured a convincing 5-0 victory. Notably, Chelsea has struggled to score against Villa in their previous encounters this season.
