Premier League 2018/19: Burnley vs Chelsea

This post originally featured on our dedicated Chelsea analysis site, feelchelsea.com

As much as Chelseas current pro-attacking tactical set up is making pundits enjoy the Sarriball in the English football set up, the strategy is also really amplifying some defensive vulnerabilities the Blues squad could face. At least for the fixtures which can offer Chelsea strong opportunities to add up not only their points but the goal difference as well, the set up is working well above the expectations. Burnley vs Chelsea was one of them. The tactical analysis below explains how Chelseas readiness led them to exploit the home teams defensive organisation during transitions.

Burnley started with a high press

Burnley executed a high press at the start. The following picture from the match shows how intensely Burnley was pressing Chelsea in the away teams half. Rudiger has almost all the options blocked in his half.

Chelsea Burnley Tactical Analysis — Burnleys high press.

This fore-pressing initially caused Chelseas offensive players to come close to the rear ones until some of them find the outlet towards the open region. The midfield trio often stayed close to each other in a coherent manner to keep the ball flowing. The pass map below shows the coherency of the three to execute short and immediate passing, which had clearly been effective this season due to Chelseas impressive results. The presence of the fullbacks at the flanks and their connection with the wider central midfielders in the picture explains that Chelsea also had the outlets to allow the midfielders to pass outside the short passing structures to switch the play when needed.