25/07/2023
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT POCHETTINO’S CHELSEA SO FAR?
If you’re wanting to own Chelsea attacking assets based on what we’ve seen so far, Jackson and Nkunku are very interesting choices, with each offering something very different and directly influencing the team shape and style of play with their presence. This feels deliberate from Pochettino, as well.
As the season progresses, I could see a Chelsea double-up in attack as a real possibility if their pre-season form is replicated in the league.
Defensively, I would have concerns about owning assets right now. Down the flanks, they were exposed time and time again, and clean sheets look worrisome.
It’s the midfield that brings particular interest, especially from a differential perspective. Gallagher played the entire match and regularly ran beyond the forwards. In the 4-1-4-1 out-of-possession system, he was pressing high (as we’d expect from a Pochettino team) but he was also getting centrally in front of goal after the ball was won, and especially when Jackson drifted wide to pick up possession. Gallagher might well be on his way out of Stamford Bridge but whoever ultimately ends up playing that role is one for the watchlist if these tactics continue.
Then there is Mudryk, who looked great with Jackson up top – but as an FPL asset, this does make him look like a rotation risk.
Sterling might be in the same camp, which may be a surprise to some. We expected Sterling would play wide left against Brighton but he was on the opposite flank and offered very little in terms of goal threat, although did put in some decent deliveries. He was largely ineffectual on the left against Wrexham, as well.
For now, if I had to choose between the identically priced Sterling and Jackson, I would plump for the latter. I don’t think Sterling is a nailed starter on either the right or the left as it stands.
We’ll need more pre-season games to see how things settle down but right now, after two games, we’re seeing a very neat and intricate style of football, inverted full-backs, and two different types of strikers.
[via Fantasy Football Scout ]
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