Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 2.
Player analysis - Ben Chilwell and Nicolas Jackson
There was a fresh energy and enterprise about Chelsea’s style of play on the opening weekend.
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It is clear Mauricio Pochettino is going to demand a lot more from his players than they were asked to do last season, when they were so often sluggish and listless.
The Argentinian set his side up in a bold 3-4-2-1 in their 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool, playing at a high tempo.
It was daring because in possession he instructed both wing-backs to push on exceptionally high, occupying positions that effectively made them wingers.
With one of his central midfielders, often Enzo Fernandez, given license to join in with attacks, and the twin attacking midfield players infield in the half-spaces, the shape of his team looked more like a 3-1-3-3.
Willing runners
Chilwell and summer signing Jackson made an extraordinary amount of runs, which typified the spirit of this new-look Chelsea side.
| Player | Off-the-ball runs |
|---|---|
| Ben Chilwell | 46 |
| Nicolas Jackson | 44 |
| Raheem Sterling | 24 |
| Carney Chukwuemeka | 16 |
| Enzo Fernandez | 15 |
Jackson has searing pace, and he put it to good use with a series of darting sprints, with and without the ball.
That bright movement helped him receive three of Chelsea’s best five chances according to Opta’s Expected Goals (xG) data.
Chilwell was incredibly adventurous too, pushing up high to test the resolve of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Chilwell will no doubt try to pin back West Ham United’s Vladimir Coufal at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Jackson’s lightning pace will also be a concern for Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd, who will have to adjust their starting positions to minimise space left in behind them.
Excitement at new Blues midfield
Record signing Moises Caicedo could be in line to make his Chelsea debut in this London derby.
His central-midfield partnership with Fernandez has phenomenal potential, and if they line up against the Hammers it will create great anticipation among Blues fans.
They have exceptional quality on the ball, and with Caicedo being 21 years of age, with Fernandez only 10 months older, their combination will also be physically dynamic.
With the signing of Romeo Lavia from Southampton, too, these players fit in perfectly with Pochettino’s tactical vision of a side that can outplay and outrun their opponents.
Against Liverpool, Fernandez was removed from his previous role as a deep-lying playmaker to perform as a box-to-box midfielder.
He relished that free role and looked inventive in more advanced positions.
Fernandez made 34 passes in the final third, which was 14 more than any team-mate against Liverpool, while he also topped the rankings for penalty area entries.
With Chelsea's twin No 10s sliding into pockets infield too, West Ham's central midfielders will certainly have their hands full trying to contain their counterparts.
While the Blues’ display was at times a little chaotic against Liverpool, they showed signs of immediate progress under Pochettino.
They will travel to east London with an attacking mentality and play for the win.
Also in this series
Part 1: Eze and Saka can determine London derby outcome
Part 2: How Emery can get Villa's balance right against Everton
Part 3: Maddison and Bissouma's energy will be key to beat Man Utd
