Alex Keble looks ahead to Chelsea v Man City.
Guardiola needs width to negate Pochettino’s tactics
Man City's return to the summit of the Premier League table is an ominous sign for the challengers and, according to many, the beginning of an inevitable canter to their fourth consecutive title.
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But it shouldn’t be forgotten that City have lost three of their last four away matches against English opposition, and with the Mauricio Pochettino era getting lift-off at Spurs on Monday, there is every chance that the champions could get knocked back again.
The tactical battle is a fascinating one. Pochettino will likely use the 2-2 draw with Arsenal as a template, again deploying a slightly deeper line in a 4-4-2 formation that looks to block off passes through the middle, before taking advantage of transitions to race in behind City’s defence.
Against Arsenal, whom Chelsea were beating 2-0 until a formation change turned the tide, the use of two "false nines" - Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher - was very effective in slowing down the Gunners.
Pochettino is likely to reinstate this approach having watched Man City be similarly stumped by Arsenal, who were also in a compact midblock 4-4-2 when the two sides met in October.
Wolves, again, did something similar in a 2-1 win, suggesting Chelsea can find joy in a more conservative and reactive system that focuses on denying space and springing forward on the counter.
However, this brings its own problems. Problems Pep Guardiola knows how to punish.
Spurs were in total control on Monday night prior to the first red card, primarily because Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski hugged the touchlines, providing a width that Chelsea – desperate to block the middle in that narrow 4-4-2 – just couldn’t cover.
This is the example Guardiola will follow. Jeremy Doku’s five goal contributions against AFC Bournemouth last weekend was followed up by a cameo against Young Boys in midweek, in which he completed a ridiculous six take-ons in just 10 minutes.
At that rate, he’d complete 60 takes-ons in a full match, which is double the amount that any player has completed across the whole of the 2023/24 Premier League season heading into Matchweek 12.
It goes without saying he is in form, and will be up for the battle on Sunday. Doku might even start on the right to make room for another dribbler, Jack Grealish, on the left, if Guardiola wishes to ensure maximum width and directness is used to go around Chelsea’s 4-4-2.
More on Sunday's matches
See: Can Klopp win tactical battle v giant-killer Frank?
See: How Doku and Grealish are pushing each other to new levels
