Graham Potter hints at what formation Chelsea could use vs Borussia Dortmund
The UEFA Champions League is back, and Chelsea FC will face Borussia Dortmund in the return leg of the last-16 on Tuesday. The first leg, which was held in Germany, ended in a 1-0 defeat to the Blues. The second leg will take place at Stamford Bridge, and Potter & co. will be looking to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the competition.
Chelsea’s recent form has been a cause for concern, as they have struggled to find the back of the net in open play. The team has only scored two goals from open play in 2023, which is a worrying statistic.
However, Graham Potter, the Chelsea manager, has hinted that he will be sticking with a back-three for the upcoming match against Borussia Dortmund, which could be a sign of things to come.
Potter’s decision to stick with a back-three could be a smart move, as it will give the team more defensive solidity. Chelsea has shown vulnerability in defence in recent games, and a back-three could provide more cover for the defenders.
Reece James, who missed the game against Leeds due to a tight hamstring, is expected to return to the starting line-up against Borussia Dortmund. The English right-back can offer a lot in this formation.
Potter’s tactical flexibility has been questioned in recent weeks, as he has stuck with a four-man defence despite the team’s poor form. However, he admitted that the back three made Chelsea look more assured, which could be a sign that he is willing to adapt to the situation.
Speaking about the situation as quoted by Football. London, here is what Graham Potter had to say
“Yeah, I think it would. Obviously, it hasn’t been as straightforward as it sounds because we’ve had people dropping off regularly really, which has made it hard to have that consistency that you need, that we want”
The lack of goals is one of the main issues for Potter’s Chelsea. The team needs to start scoring more goals if they want to progress in the competition, and a back three could provide the platform for the attackers to shine.
Chelsea’s recent form has been a cause for concern, but the team has the quality to turn things around. The return of James will be a boost for the team, and the back-three formation could provide the defensive solidity that the team needs
More Chelsea News:
- Chelsea confirm loaning out of Andrey Santos back to Vasco da Gama
- Zinedine Zidane and Luis Enrique emerge as favourites to succeed Graham Potter at Chelsea
- Napoli ready to splash the cash to keep Chelsea target Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Let’s see if this dimension can unlock a new facet of the Blues’ game. Only time will tell how it pans out.