Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly contemplating a significant change in tactics to revive Chelsea’s struggling season. The team has been employing a 4-2-3-1 formation, which has frequently left their center-backs vulnerable. With 39 goals conceded, Chelsea currently holds the seventh-worst defensive record in the Premier League.
Following back-to-back four-goal defeats to Liverpool and Wolves, Pochettino is considering a shift to a three-man defense, as reported by the Evening Standard. Although Pochettino didn’t explicitly mention a three-man formation, he expressed the need for change and finding alternative solutions after the recent loss to Wolves.
The Evening Standard suggests Pochettino might opt for a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2 formation, both of which he used at Tottenham. Players like Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, and Trevoh Chalobah are familiar with three-man defensive systems.
Reflecting on the tactical success of Antonio Conte at Chelsea in the 2016/17 season, where he switched from a 4-1-4-1 to a 3-4-3 mid-game against Arsenal, Pochettino may seek inspiration. Conte’s tactical adjustment propelled Chelsea from eighth in September to table-toppers in November, ultimately securing the title with 93 points. Pochettino aims to draw on this historical precedent to provide better protection for his goalkeeper.