As it stands, Chelsea have just over three weeks to have their squad assembled in time for the start of the 22/23 Premier League campaign. The Blues are yet to make a signing but are just steps away from completing the transfer of Raheem Sterling. Once that transfer is officially over the line, the Blues should be making magnificent progress on their defensive targets. Thomas Tuchel has a bulk of options across the field, but it significantly lacking in the defensive area.
The loss of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen has taken a toll on the Chelsea squad. The Blues also may be losing Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso to Barcelona in the upcoming weeks too. So what exactly is the plan for Thomas Tuchel going forward?
Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Ake sound like nice additions. So do Kalidou Koulibaly or Presnel Kimpembe. It is also reported that Tuchel could be looking at lining up with a back four, ditching the back three regime that seemed to work so well. With reports being silenced around Jules Kounde and Ousmane Dembele, here's how Chelsea are expected to line up with their current group with a back four formation.
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ATTACK
Romelu Lukaku has left the club to fulfill a loan move back to his former club, Inter Milan. With that being said, Chelsea currently have Timo Werner and Kai Havertz as their options up top. Together, the Champions League-winning pair managed 25 goals in all competitions between them. Without another striker in conversation, the Blues could expect a potential improvement or another frustrating season in front of goal.
Despite being linked with a move away, right now Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech remain as options for Thomas Tuchel. So does Christian Pulisic and of course Mason Mount. With Raheem Sterling destined to be a Chelsea player after passing his medical, it's guaranteed that he will be a starting figure in the attack. It'll be interesting to see how Tuchel mixes and matches with the front three.
As the deal with Raphinha falls through, Pulisic may get his wish for more game time. Kai Havertz is likely to become the first-choice striker with Sterling on his left and Pulisic on his right. Assuming they stay, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, and Ziyech could remain as secondary options for Tuchel to play with considering the allowance of five substitutes.
MIDFIELD
There is absolutely no way that Mason Mount doesn't have a space in this Chelsea squad. Naturally, he is an attacking midfielder, usually taking up that number 8 role. He has admitted that it is where he is most comfortable in the past, so in a back 4 formation, we can assume he reverts to his preferred position. Alongside him, the Blues have the luxury of N'golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher, and Ruben Loftus Cheek. Even Ross Barkley dare I mention.
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Thomas Tuchel has a lot to play around with in the midfield. If all players remain fully fit, there might not be a pressing reason to scouer thorough the transfer window for a defensive midfielder right now. The Blues have been pressed to sign a profile player such as Declan Rice but could easily be comfortable with their current options.
It would be a more attacking approach but the sound of Mount, Jorginho and Gallagher as a midfield three sounds tasty. Or even Mount, Jorginho and Kovacic. Mount, Kovacic, Kante or Mount, Kante Jorginho. There are several starting options that Tuchel can play around with and that should be of some encouragement to Chelsea fans. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley would spend most of their time breaking into that starting midfield, similar to last season - assuming they stay around to do so. The competition will be healthy.
DEFENCE:
This is where things become rather messy for the Blues. With the current crop of players, Chelsea will be looking at a season without two of their best defenders. As it stands, Thomas Tuchel is rather limited on his options. Assuming Marcos Alonso and Azpilicueta do not follow the route of their former teammates, Chelsea have a back four to play around with, with some cover.
Reece James and Ben Chilwell are deemed as Chelsea's starting full-backs with Azpilueta and Alonso in supporting roles. Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah are likely to take occupy the centre-back pairing with just Malang Sarr available for cover - maybe also Azpilicueta.
Levi Colwill has traveled with Chelsea for pre-season meaning Thomas Tuchel could have plans for the 19-year-old. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.
What do you think?
The closer it gets to the start of the season, the more we have to accept what is right in front of us. What do you think of the potential as it stands? Do Chelsea need more signings? Let us know in the comments below.
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