As it stands, Chelsea have less than two weeks to have their squad assembled in time for the start of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign. The Blues have made two crucial signings for their upcoming campaign but there has yet to be any notable changes in the squad overall. Thomas Tuchel has a bulk of options across the field, but is significantly lacking in the defensive area.
The loss of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen has taken a toll on the Chelsea squad. They are yet to keep a clean sheet in any of their pre-season matches and managed to concede four goals against Arsenal over the weekend. The Blues may also be losing Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso to Barcelona in the upcoming weeks. So what exactly is the plan for Thomas Tuchel going forward?
Frustrations are building in the Chelsea camp. The struggle in pre-season has caused a divide within the fan base - some are unfazed by the pre-season shenanigans, whilst others fear that this is just a stepping stone towards disaster.
The attack, midfield, and defence are currently set in stone but could change by the time the transfer window closes. Tuchel himself pointed out that some players are focused on leaving Chelsea this summer. Here's what the German has to work with as it stands.
READ MORE: Every word Thomas Tuchel said on Chelsea attack, Arsenal, Kounde, Koulibaly, transfer business
ATTACK
Romelu Lukaku has left the club, fulfilling a loan move back to his former team, Inter Milan. With that being said, Chelsea currently have Timo Werner and Kai Havertz as their options up top. Together, the Champions League-winning pair managed 25 goals in all competitions. Without another striker in conversation, the Blues could expect a potential improvement or another frustrating season in front of goal.
Tuchel has already complained about the lack of end product produced by his side when they played Arsenal last weekend. He said: "We have the same issues because we have the same players." The addition of Raheem Sterling may shake the table in the final third but ultimately, the Blues will need a centre-forward to help the goalscoring crisis.
Despite being linked with a move away, right now Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech remain as options for Thomas Tuchel. So does Christian Pulisic and of course, Mason Mount. With Sterling in the mix it's guaranteed that he will be a starting figure in the attack. It'll be interesting to see how Tuchel mixes and matches with the front three.
Pulisic may get his wish for more game time - as could Callum Hudson-Odoi - as they've both featured in all of the pre-season matches so far. Kai Havertz is likely to become the first-choice striker considering that Werner is uncertain about his future. It would also be no surprise to see Ziyech complete his loan move to AC Milan, leaving Tuchel with less options than he started with.
MIDFIELD
There is absolutely no way that Mount doesn't have a space in this Chelsea squad. Naturally, he is an attacking midfielder, usually taking up that No. 8 role. He has admitted that it is where he is most comfortable in the past, so in a back-four formation, we can assume he reverts to his preferred position. Alongside him, the Blues have the luxury of N'golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher, and Ruben Loftus Cheek. Even Ross Barkley could come into the reckoning.
Tuchel has a lot to play around with in the midfield. If all players remain fully fit, there might not be a pressing reason to scour through the transfer window for a defensive midfielder right now. The Blues have been urged to sign a profile player similar to Declan Rice but could easily be comfortable with their current options.
It would be a more attacking approach but the sound of Mount, Jorginho and Gallagher as a midfield three sounds tasty. It was trialled and tested against Arsenal and was not as delicious as I hoped - but a slight alteration could do the trio some good in the future.
There's also the options of Mount, Jorginho and Kovacic, as well as Mount, Kovacic, Kante/Mount, Kante/Jorginho. There are several starting options that Tuchel can play around with and that should be of some encouragement to Chelsea fans. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley would spend most of their time trying to break into that starting midfield, similar to last season - assuming they stay around to do so. The competition will be healthy.
DEFENCE:
This is where things become rather messy for the Blues. With the current crop of players, Chelsea will be looking at a season without two of their best defenders. As it stands, Tuchel is rather limited on his options. Assuming Marcos Alonso and Azpilicueta do not follow the route of their former teammates Rudiger and Christensen and head to the Nou Camp, Chelsea have a back four to play around with, with some cover.
Reece James and Ben Chilwell are deemed as Chelsea's starting full-backs with Azpilicueta and Alonso in supporting roles. Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly are likely to occupy the centre-back pairing, with just Trevoh Chalobah available for cover, although Azpilicueta is also known for his sterling qualities as centre-back in his prime years.
Levi Colwill is still a Chelsea player for now, meaning Thomas Tuchel could have plans for the 19-year-old. It'll be interesting to see how his future plays out as Chelsea remain in the running for Jules Kounde's signature.
What do you think?
The closer it gets to the start of the season, the more we have to accept what is right in front of us. What do you think of the potential as it stands? Do Chelsea need more signings?
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