Thomas Tuchel’s Three Blunders In Southampton Draw

Tuchel’s Blunders Southampton Draw

Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw with Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

For the first time since he replaced Frank Lampard as head coach, Tuchel will be disappointed by what he saw from his Chelsea side, but there were also three things he got wrong himself at Southampton on Saturday.

No Callum

Callum Hudson-Odoi has been one of Chelsea’s brightest sparks so far in the Tuchel era, making it slightly puzzling that he was replaced in his usual right wing-back slot for a more defensive option in Reece James.  

When the 20-year-old was brought on at half-time in place of Tammy Abraham the visitors enjoyed their most dangerous period of the game, before he was eventually forced off again with a suspected injury.

Defensive setup

While it has undoubtedly shored up a previously leaky Blues backline in recent matches, Tuchel’s decision to field three centre-backs, two defensive wing-backs and a holding midfielder against a team in such dire straits almost paid Southampton too much respect from the off and stifled their attacking threat.  

The first half in particular was quite a painful watch as they struggled to create any real openings – which is becoming a regular theme of the new manager’s reign.

Chopping and changing

Andreas Christensen has not exactly proved a reliable option for Chelsea over the years.  

Nevertheless, it’s hard to ignore the fact he has produced arguably the most solid performances of his Blues career under Tuchel of late.  

Instead of keeping Dane’s momentum going, though, an unsharp Kurt Zouma came in at the back and was caught napping for Minamino’s opener.

It was exactly the type of move from a manager who still doesn’t know his best XI, and Tuchel finally paid the price for excessive chopping and changing at St Mary’s on Saturday.

Daily Star

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