Chelsea 2019/20: Season preview – scout report

As the dust finally settles on what was a confusing season for Chelsea in 2018/19, a calming window for reflection emerges. A season filled largely with disdain and public shaming turned into something of a success story. Maurizio Sarri and his men battled to an unexpected third-place finish, a League Cup silver medal before lifting the Europa League trophy in Baku.

Chelsea were criticised for losing their identity and playing a brand of football not in line with the clubs ethos. Sarri struggled to find the hallowed balance between entertainment and success, and so was sacked, adding his name to the graveyard of coaches that have fallen before him. But much like the Stamford Bridge turf ripped out at the end of May, a time for regrowth has arrived at the London club.

This tactical analysis will review the highs and lows of the Blues turbulent season. The analysis will be a season preview highlighting where Chelsea will need to improve as they move into a new era at the club.

2018/19 Review: A season in numbers

Chelsea finished their season on a high, taking the title of being the best side in an inconsistent chasing pack. The Blues started the season with intent, only losing three games before the New Year. In this time Chelsea racked up 13 wins and conceded just 16 goals, taking them to 4th in the table.

It was from January where the London club struggled, picking up a mere 23 points from the 54 available. A combination of over-reliance on Eden Hazard, an out of form Gonzalo Higuaín and a sluggish tactical build-up play saw the Blues struggle in front of goal. Chelsea managed to score a sorry 25 goals in this period  fewer than Bournemouth who finished 16th.

But, typical of Sarris reign, the Europa League winners did exactly what they were expected to do. Chelseas xPTS (Expected Points) differential was the closest to their actual total out of any other club. They finished the season on 72 points and were expected 71.45 based on their chances created and conceded.

Much like their managers approach, the statistics demonstrate a season based on logic and strategy; Chelsea won and lost games when they should have. Ultimately this was their perceived problem; too much precision, not enough chaos.

The statistics show that despite their critics, Chelsea were ahead of the pack when it came to progressive attacking play. Sarris men averaged 74.41 passes per game into the final third, the third-highest in the league. They also enjoyed dominating the ball, with an average possession of 61.91% in the Premiership, and 6.4 passes per possession on average, higher than Liverpool (5.73).

What worked well: defending

Despite the goals not coming as freely as those in the table they kept company with, Chelsea were able to muscle themselves to a third-place finish. They did this with a resilient back four that only conceded 39 goals. This was thanks to the system introduced by Sarri which offered plenty of defensive support when out of possession.

In Sarris preferred 4-3-3  a shape they used 97% of the time in all competitions in 2018/19  Chelsea operated a deeper block. Jorghino acted as the deep-lying playmaker and was the central point in their system. Out of possession, NGolo Kanté and Mateo Kovačić tucked in alongside Jorhingo to block passing lanes through the centre of Chelseas midfield. This movement funnelled the ball into the wider, safer spaces. Upon this ball being played, the respective winger, full-back and central midfielder moved across followed by a shift in the defensive unit. This prevented overloads occurring in the lateral areas. As a result, teams found it difficult to break Chelsea down.