Leicester City added another “top six” club carcass to the collection, as Brendan Rodgers overcame his dismal head-to-head record with Chelsea, to see the Foxes go top of the Premier League table – even if it’ll only be for a few hours.
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea have been seriously struggling, the loss at the King Power Stadium ensured that The Pensioners have only won a single game in their last five. Regardless, the quality of personnel in their squad – and the monetary investment – meant that the fixture was always going to be difficult for Brendan Rodgers and Leicester City.
Both teams operated in 4-3-3 formations, which is the ordinary system Lampard has defaulted to during his time at Stamford Bridge, whilst Rodgers made a slight shift from the 4-2-3-1 formations he’s been predominantly using. The key differences being the positioning of the midfield, in the 4-2-3-1 formation, James Maddison plays as a #10 – directly behind the lone striker of Jamie Vardy. Youri Tielemans and Wilfred Ndidi partner to make a double pivot at the base of midfield – referred to as No.6.
In the 4-3-3 formation, Rodgers advanced Tielemans’ natural positioning, playing him as a box-to-box (#8), and did the same with Maddison – dropping him from his attacking-midfield position. Wilfred Ndidi was tasked with playing as the sole defensive-midfielder, a role he thrives in. I believe Rodgers’ composition in the midfield was aided by the exclusion of N’golo Kante – who had a hamstring injury. With Kante operating as the #6 for Chelsea, instead of Mateo Kovačić, the balance of the two midfields would’ve been a lot more even – without the Frenchman, Leicester City controlled that sector of the pitch.
This adjustment, switching from the 4-2-3-1 formation to the 4-3-3 formation, is another clear example of Rodgers identifying the oppositions strengths, and also their weaknesses, and having the tactical flexibility to implement different systems to great effect. This is a testament to the quality of coaching, that not only are they able to adapt to different scenarios, but the elevated performance level of each individual has been exemplary.
Out of possession, the Foxes were able to press in a 4-3-3 formation as well. Rodgers did implement a 4-4-2 pressing formation in the second-half, which saw Maddison join Vardy in the frontline – while Albrighton and Harvey Barnes dropped into the midfield four. The reason for doing this was to negate the numerical overloads Chelsea were achieving on both flanks. Albeit without creating anything negligent, Lampard’s side found some joy by advancing both full-backs (Ben Chilwell and Reece James) into close proximity of their wingers (Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi).
To achieve three players on the wings, Kai Havertz would drift from his central #8 position and into the right-channel – whilst Mason Mount made similar movements on the left. This created a three versus two – against Leicester City’s full-back and winger respectively. By tweaking the formation and creating a 4-4-2, Rodgers allowed one of the pressing forwards – Vardy or Maddison, to spread into the wings to help the full-back and winger on that side. This resulted in a three versus three stalemate, thus removing the overloads Chelsea had created in the first-half – without compromising the deep-block of the 4-3-3 formation. Please click below to read the last page of match analysis.
To suggest that Leicester City only focused on negating Chelsea’s threats would also be unfair. The Foxes were by far the better team in possession, even when seeing a drastic amount less. Chelsea nearly had double the amount of time on the ball (65% possession to the Foxes 35%) but managed less touches in the penalty area (14 to Leicester’s 19) – a lot less efficient. Again, this is a credit to Leicester City – their narrow and deep structure didn’t allow Chelsea to find spaces centrally.
Offensively, the 4-3-3 formation facilitated better play from the Foxes in transition. This was for two major reasons. Firstly, seeing less of the ball meant that attacking scenarios tended to stem from a quick turnover, or were played with more directness and conviction. Secondly, playing with two robust No.8’s gave Leicester City a lot more progressive angles to play quickly through the lines – whilst also adding additional runners from deep to get into the box – this is shown clearly with Maddison’s goal.
Brendan Rodgers has been fairly clear with his starting XI’s this season, that the Foxes will almost exclusively setup in a 4-2-3-1 – unless of course there’s another injury crisis. But, after seeing the benefits of playing a 4-3-3, perhaps Leicester City will opt for a midfield of two No.8’s, rather than two No.6’s. Honestly, formations aren’t mutually exclusive – the Foxes could start in a 4-2-3-1 and still find similar passing lanes and positions to the 4-3-3, but it’s still an interesting debate.
The next game for the Foxes will be an intriguing watch, as Brentford have built a formidable reputation over recent seasons, for playing some intricate and expansive football – whilst investing heavily into data analytics (so they hold a special place in my heart). It will most likely allow Ayoze Pérez another chance to play as the striker – probably as a false nine. I’d suggest that Ricardo Pereira will feature to help his rehabilitation process – with Caglar Söyüncü doing the same. The player I’m confused about is Cengiz Ünder and whether he’ll feature after a few months on the side-lines.
I’m confident that Rodgers will ensure there’s enough quality on display, whilst protecting the players that need a rest. I’d like a 4-3-3 formation, Pérez through the middle – with Ünder and Demarai Gray on the wings (two excellent runners behind the defensive line in the channels – with a forward who excels in connecting play). With a few absentees in midfield, most notably Dennis Praet and Nampalys Mendy who are both seemingly unavailable, I’d anticipate a fairly full-strength midfield. In defence, rotate the appropriate players in for game time and I think Leicester should come away from the fixture victorious.