How Leicester should setup to beat Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea

Moving into midfield, Tuchel has opted for a double pivot in the absence of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, both of whom are doubts for the fixture with the Foxes — but not 100% excluded. To ensure they’re operating efficiently, Chelsea tends to favour Jorginho and Mateo Kovačić at central-midfield. In possession, they’re found in depth and are early progressive receivers (mainly Jorginho) from the centre-backs.

Both midfielders are good under pressure and will look to aid their centre-backs by offering for possession in “disadvantageous scenarios” to avoid sacrificing the ball. Ordinarily, Kovačić is slightly more advanced in the two, but this isn’t exclusive — they’re both happy to rotate roles and positions fluidly to enable central progressions. Although they’re often outnumbered, versus systems such as the 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, they will receive support from either one of the wingers (dropping back) or an inverting wing-back to create numerical stalemates in the centre.

The front three will most likely look like; Mason Mount (RW), Callum Hudson-Odoi (LW), and Kai Havertz (ST). There’s room for changes instead of this composition, such as a return from injury for either Lukaku or Werner, with Hakim Ziyech also staking a claim as one of the wingers, but I assume Tuchel will favour the original construction.

Just like with most of Tuchel’s sides, positional rotations are key — especially in a front three without a recognised striker. Mount will aid the midfield by inverting and playing as an attack-minded #8, whereas Hudson-Odoi is primarily going to occupy the width of the pitch. Although it’s a term overused in the modern game, Havertz will play like a false 9 — drifting between the lines and occasionally offering a run behind the defensive line.