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Chelsea ended a barren run of results with an efficient, yet unconvincing, 2-0 home victory over Sheffield United.
After painful losses to Newcastle United, Manchester United and Everton over the course of the last few weeks, this clash felt like a must-win game for Mauricio Pochettino. After a tentative first-half finished with the score at 0-0, Cole Palmer converted a low cross from Raheem Sterling to give the West Londoners the lead.
Good fortune has avoided the Blues this season, but they did enjoy a huge slice of luck when Nicolas Jackson converted at the back post after a messy, goal-mouth scramble resulted in Conor Gallagher cutting the ball back for him to tap home. After the Blues secured only their sixth win of the new season, Daily Star Sport has a look at what Pochettino got right.
Bouncer backline
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With Chelsea leaking goals left, right and centre and trying to cope with an injury crisis in the full-back department, Pochettino deployed four central defenders in his back four. Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill deputised at full back for the injured Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella, respectively, while Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile set between them,
Despite the injuries, Pochettino could have still called on Malo Gusto (who had recently recovered from injury himself) and Ian Maatsen, who has barely featured despite having an impressive pre-season. With Wilder's side playing a deep defensive line, Chelsea struggled to get around the sides of the defence.
Colwill and Diasi are central defenders by trade, who are not used to crossing the ball. Maatsen and Gusto may have been better options in the attacking phase of their play.
No Enzo
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Enzo Fernandez has been the first name of every Chelsea team-sheet since he arrived from Benfica for more than £102m. While some of that may have been to get their money's worth, he has been integral to the Blues' build-up play. However, Pochettino opted to give him a rest against the relegation battlers, instead choosing to partner Conor Gallagher with Moises Caicedo and bring Palmer into the No.10 position.
However, he has looked tired and laboured in some matches this season. Giving the Argentine a rest looks to have been a calculated move from the Argentinian manager. When Chelsea doubled their lead, Fernandez was introduced in place for Mykhalo Mudryk as a means of securing the midfield and keeping the ball.
With Newcastle United up next in a must win League Cup quarter-final clash, Chelsea fans may be happy to have a fully firing Fernandez in that game.
Nicolas Jackson reinstated
Armando Broja was preferred to Jackson in the Blues' 2-0 away loss to Everton. Considering Broja's height and pace, some may have been surprised to see Jackson deployed against United's brutally physical backline.
Yet, the summer signing more than held his own, holding the ball-up and dropping between the spaces to link play. His hard work was eventually rewarded with a goal in the second half which secured the points for the Blues. Jackson has sometimes left plenty to be desired, but he has still contributed seven Premier League goals and one assist in his first 16 league appearances.
Nkunku's inclusion
It seems Chelsea's goal-scoring hopes were pinned on Christopher Nkunku's long awaited arrival from RB Leipzig. For the first time, the Frenchman was included in a Premier League match-day squad by Pochettino. The forward's arrival was teased on multiple occasions when Pochettino sent him to go and warm up in front of the Chelsea fans.
While they did not get to see too much of him, the fact he was included brought an extra air of excitement to Stamford Bridge. Considering spirts are low at the club, this was a much needed boost of positivity in a campaign which has been rather glum.
- Mauricio Pochettino
- Chelsea FC
- Sheffield United FC
- Premier League
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