Mauricio Pochettino could abandon Chelsea masterclass with major change vs Brentford

Jamie Carragher was full of praise for Chelsea following their last outing against Arsenal at the weekend. The Blues so nearly came away with all three points against the title-challenging Gunners after going two goals ahead at Stamford Bridge, only to fall victim to a late fightback from the visitors in west London.

It was perhaps Mauricio Pochettino’s strongest tactical display as Chelsea head coach since he was appointed into the role over the summer. Chelsea set up with a box midfield to try and nullify some of the Gunners’ biggest threats, including the likes of Martin Odegaard, who barely had a sniff at the Bridge.

“It was a fantastic performance by Chelsea and they should have won the game,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football earlier in the week. “But what I loved from this game was that both managers were adaptable.

“Mauricio Pochettino almost won the game, and Mikel Arteta got himself back in the game with a tactical change. Chelsea didn’t go in with a striker, they went in with a box midfield and it helped them get the penalty for the first goal.”

Carragher added: “Very rarely, if ever, can I remember Odegaard getting the ball between the lines, or one of the wide players in to one of the pockets, because they couldn’t go central, because Chelsea stopped it, they nullified it. They forced Arsenal to go back and wide, where they got lots of men around the ball.

“We rarely saw the Arsenal No.8s get any joy. I was massively impressed with Chelsea’s tactical setup.”

Saturday’s game, however, against Brentford, is a completely different challenge for Pochettino and Chelsea. So much so that the Argentine could completely change his setup for the visit of the Bees and look to exploit different areas.

In Brentford’s last game, they comfortably beat Burnley 3-0 and all of their goals came from wide areas. First it was Yoane Wissa in the first half, then it was Bryan Mbeumo and substitute Saman Ghoddos for the Bees in a routine victory for Thomas Frank.

Frank, who has done a wonderful job at Brentford, loves to use his attacking wide players to break down opposition teams. That has become even more apparent since Ivan Toney’s ban, with the central striker not eligible to play until 2024, so the reliance on players producing on the flanks has become even higher.

While Chelsea were focusing on nullifying Arsenal’s central players in particular at the weekend, it may be a case where the Blues’ midfield turns to a more conventional setup. That could see Cole Palmer move back to the right-hand side rather than a false nine and a more recognized striker – namely Nicolas Jackson – come back into the team.

Chelsea’s full-backs could have a difficult afternoon, especially on the ball, with Brentford loving to press intensely from the front. It is another all-London derby for the Blues but the challenge that awaits in Brentford requires completely different preparation.