Chelsea desperately needs a spark of energy, even more drastically, a complete reset. Since the international break, the last run of fixtures has exposed a lack of focus within the squad, as individual errors have proved calamitous.
Although this week's build-up to the clash with Wolves does not come off the back of an extended break, it does feel different. Mainly down to the fact Chelsea have enjoyed a free midweek. You have to go back to mid-February between the Club World Cup final and a league trip to Crystal Palace for the last one.
Although shouts of tiredness may seem simplistic, maybe symbolically, this break has come at the right time, with the season slowly sliding to a disappointing end. Ironically, the next opponent is the first Thomas Tuchel faced as Chelsea's head coach.
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On that cold and highly forgettable January evening, supporters got their first glimpse of Tuchel dancing across the touchline at Stamford Bridge.
The game ended 0-0, the same scoreline that came in the next meeting in December at Molineux. These two squads have not formed a very entertaining concoction, one that, if repeated on Saturday, will only further instil the belief both are on the beach.
Chelsea needs Champions League qualification before the ownership situation is concluded, with Todd Boehly likely to complete a £4bn deal in the coming weeks. A win against Wolves would put the Blues on its brink.
Team News
Tuchel confirmed four players are out. N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell.
Tuchel's Approach
Tuchel will not find much leeway for excuses over fatigue in the squad after a free midweek, and there simply has to be more energy in this performance after the pitiful effort at Goodison Park.
Tactically, without major injury, I'd expect a 3-4-2-1 to be used which will not be too dissimilar to Bruno Lage's 3-5-2.
Chelsea needs to attack this game, and the hope will be the intensity in pressing and movement from the front three sets the tone against an out of form Wolves side.
The Oppo
Wolves could not befit the on the beach cliche more if they tried. In eighth place, miles from relegation danger and unlikely to finish below tenth, Lage has managed the post-Nuno year well.
A growing injury list has also limited his options, with only three wins in their last ten, the rest defeats. Losing their last three to Newcastle, Burnley and Brighton conceded five and scored none.
Pedro Neto, Raul Jimenez, Ruben Neves and Hwang Hee-chan all provide attacking quality on their day, but in recent weeks, attacking inspiration has really dissipated. Bruno Lage will miss this weekend's trip to Chelsea after testing positive for Covid-19.
Lineup
Given the week's rest and no COVID crisis as there was the last time Chelsea faced Wolves, I'd expect a strong side.
Tuchel has been accused of shunning certain players, rigidly sticking to a smaller group of 13 or so names. That needs to change, particularly when others are out of form.
Kai Havertz has been highly unimpressive since the Southampton game, Timo Werner's brief burst of life has quickly disappeared, whilst Cesar Azpilicueta continues to make costly errors.
I would not start all three here, and Tuchel hinted in his presser that "Lukaku maybe starts tomorrow". The return of Mateo Kovacic is greatly welcomed, hopefully adding more inspiration to a team needing a response.
The other notable returnee should be Trevoh Chalobah in the back-three, strangely absent for weeks, while others performed poorly. And one of Christian Pulisic or Hakim Ziyech must feel aggrieved if they don't get a look from the off.
Predicted Chelsea Lineup: (3-4-2-1) Mendy, Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, James, Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Alonso, Pulisic, Lukaku, Mount
