Looking to build upon back-to-back wins, Chelsea hosted a Forest side looking to put an end to their woeful away form.
They did just that, with the Blues putting in a display that will concern many fans heading into the first International break of the season.
Here are 3 takeaways from Chelsea’s 1-0 loss at the bridge against Nottingham Forest.
Pochettino showing major faults
Despite earning rave reviews from players and insiders alike, Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t fully convinced many he’s the right man to oversee Chelsea’s push to return to the Champions league.
Considering the level of opposition (all due respect to Forest), many and myself included felt it absurd seeing Chilwell lineup as a winger in Poch’s favored 4-2-3-1 formation.
Despite the abundance of attacking talent in the Chelsea team, Pochettino’s decision to lineup with just two natural attackers (Sterling and Jackson) and Chilwell as a winger with options like Noni, Mudryk and new signing Cole Palmer on the bench should raise huge concerns about Poch’s choice of players and system.
Another decision many question is the positioning of Enzo Fernandez as the number “10” rather than as a deep lying playmaker alongside Caicedo.
With a brief hiatus due to the international break coming up, Pochettino has ample time to revise his system and re-positioning of his players.
Palmer’s promising debut
Cole Palmer made his debut off the bench this afternoon against Nottingham Forest and showed positive glimpses of what’s to come.
Coming on in place of Gallagher to play as the RCM, Palmer’s calm presence in possession and eye for a defence-splitting pass caught the eye hugely.
Completing 28 of attempted 33 passes, and 3/4 dribbles, Cole Palmer would be happy with his debut despite the damning defeat.
Chelsea fans will be hoping there’s many more good showings to come.
Ben Chilwell might be a problem rather than a solution
Assigned as the vice captain of the team after signing a new 4 year deal over the summer, Ben Chilwell currently divides opinion in the Chelsea fan base and rightly so.
Unable to tuck in from fullback as Poch wants his LB/LCB hybrid to do, Pochettino has been left with no choice but to force Chilwell down the flanks as a makeshift winger.
Despite Chilwell’s impressive off-ball runs and attacking contributions when pushing high from left back, the imbalance he puts the team in sees Poch reluctant in placing him as a left back.
Chilwell playing as a winger presently also hampers the growth of out and out wingers like Mudryk and Noni.
All these begs the question; is Chilwell more of a solution or a problem?
Man of the Match: Enzo Fernandez 7/10.
The international break comes up after the end of this weekend’s games.
