Coming into the new season without a consistent back-line due to injuries and poor performances, Enzo Maresca has been forced to juggle his options in the search for his best defensive line of four.
Five domestic games in now, it seems Enzo Maresca is closer to identifying the solid foundation of which is team would be built upon.
So we ask the question; “who is the best option to partner Colwill in central defence?”
In the first four league games, Maresca settled with a pairing of Fofana and Colwill but after conceding 5 goals in 3 matches (City, Wolves and Palace), questions were raised about the suitability of Fofana to Levi Colwill.
After an impressive cameo against Bournemouth in the last game, Tosin Adarabioyo got his first full league start today against West Ham and his imperious showing against the Hammers now raises the valid question..
Should Tosin be Colwill’s partner in defence?
As a pair, both Tosin and Colwill seem compatible owning to how their calmness in possession and ability to break lines from deep.
Tosin’s calm nature also best compliments Colwill’s aggressive character at the moment, far more than Fofana’s fierce nature.
At the London Stadium earlier, Tosin and Colwill mustered 12 clearances between themselves while also wining crucial duels as the center back pairing posed a huge block between Robert Sanchez and West Ham’s attackers.
It is often argued that you need one good wide-dueler in your center-back pairing and with Colwill’s previous experience as a left back, his ability to duel out-wide has vastly improved, contributing to his overall package as a very good center-back.
With Fofana and Colwill in defence, many teams look to press the Frenchman due to his limited on-ball ability (prefers to drive with the ball) but Tosin’s ability to pick passes and beat the opposition’s press creates doubt and fear in the mind of opposing coaches against pressing Chelsea so high.
Considering Fofana’s fitness issues, it would be wise of Maresca to further build the chemistry between Tosin and Colwill in case of any eventualities.
It’s still early days and there are many games where Fofana’s characteristics would be much needed and important as he’s a quick center-back with the ability to cover out-wide if/when needed against speedy wingers/attackers.
However, in the mean time, Tosin’s box defending and leadership skills are best suited to Colwill’s game.
Next up for Chelsea is a game at the Bridge as Barrow come visiting in the Carabão cup.
