Thomas Tuchel pretty much knows what to expect from Southampton this afternoon. Yet that will not make Chelsea's task any easier as the Blues attempt to get back on track after disappointing and calamitous defeats to Brentford and Real Madrid.
"They will not let us fall asleep. That is clear," Tuchel said during his pre-match press conference yesterday at Cobham. "They either play a 4-4-2 with a heavy, high pressing line of six players – which they did in the first match of the season and is their usual shape – or, as in the second game against us in the League Cup, they play a back five, which leads to a man mark over the whole pitch, very demanding and intense game.
"We had a look and watched some things from the two matches [we have played against them this season]. Both matches were of a high level of quality, very intense and fluid from both sides. Very active. It is quite a challenge, and we come from another game. It is demanding. Maybe it is good. There is no other way than to accept this physicality. Otherwise, we will be under the wheels."
