Tuchel’s team selection will be key to victory for Chelsea versus Man City – tactical analysis

Thomas Tuchel, to date, has had Pep Guardiola’s number in their battles as Chelsea and Man City coach respectively. Towards the latter stages of last season, the two clubs faced each other three times in the span of five weeks, with a collective score of 4-1 in Chelsea’s favour. Tuchel’s men have had a slightly stronger start to the campaign, and Guardiola’s team are always a question mark in big games, but this fixture presents a good opportunity for a statement victory from the two title favourites.

This tactical analysis will take a look at the tactics of both teams, the line-ups they could choose, and a final score prediction.

Predicted lineups

Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Edouard Mendy; Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rüdiger; César Azpilicueta, Mateo Kovačić, Jorginho, Marcos Alonso; Kai Havertz, Timo Werner; Romelu Lukaku.

Mendy looks set to come back after a two-game absence in goal, NGolo Kanté picked up a minor injury midweek making it unlikely that he will feature, Saúl Ñíguez put in another subpar display meaning he won’t be in the starting XI, and despite arguably being MOTM against Aston Villa, Reece James will probably have to stick to the bench for this game. Thomas Tuchel could reinstate Mason Mount into the team, but after a couple of good displays on the bounce, it is likely we will see Werner feature again.

Man City (4-3-3): Ederson; Kyle Walker, Rúben Dias, Nathan Aké, João Cancelo; Kevin de Bruyne, Fernandinho, Phil Foden; Gabriel Jesus, Ferran Torres, Jack Grealish.

Pep Guardiola has some task on his hands between building up the fitness of certain members, and not overworking others too much, with three big away days consecutively. The likes of Aymeric Laporte, John Stones, Rodri, and İlkay Gündoğan are all likely to not feature due to injuries. Aké is on standby for the first two, whilst Fernandinho can step into midfield, despite age seemingly catching up with him now. Bernardo Silva could start, but de Bruyne and Foden are key players, Guardiola will want them back in the team starting as soon as possible. 

Werner could be a key difference-maker

In Chelsea’s last two fixtures, Werner has played a key role in Tuchel’s team generating chances and getting on the end of some opportunities himself. When he came off the substitutes bench versus Spurs, Chelsea were already 2-0 up, but he added a dynamism to the attack that meant Tuchel’s team were able to keep the tempo high and continue to swing the game in their favour. He ended that game with an assist for Rüdiger, and it rounded off an energetic and useful performance. 

From the start against Villa, Werner’s running of the channels was relentless, and although he made a few errors with his decision-making in the final third, he provided an overall benefit to the Chelsea attack that a player like Kai Havertz has not been bringing lately. He went off with a minor knock on the 90th-minute mark, but if he is available, Tuchel should have few worries about starting him  he has given City plenty of trouble in the past.

Mount picks up the ball here and Werner is immediately on the run.