A 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday night will have done much to boost Chelsea’s confidence going into a vital week of fixtures.
Securing a place in the FA Cup final against Arsenal gives Frank Lampard’s side to look forward to but focus must instantly turn to a Premier League clash against Liverpool on Wednesday.
The Reds have already been crowned champions for the first time in over 30 years but a well-rested Jurgen Klopp outfit will be raring to go after a disappointing loss to Arsenal. Such motivation is strengthened by the fact that taking all three points from the Blues could scupper their plans for Champions League qualification.
Nevertheless, Chelsea’s comprehensive victory over United highlighted a key way in which Lampard’s side can halt a clear advantage that Liverpool have held over opposing teams for a few seasons.
3-4-3 has been a system regularly used by the Blues this season and the way in which it brings the best out of Reece James going forward is a major positive. The academy graduate was a standout performer against United on Sunday with meaningful involvement in attack and defensive security against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s advancing full-backs.
Brandon Williams played a more or less identical role up against James but the Chelsea right-back came out on time more times than not. The United full-back was often second best to the faster and stronger James who provided good supply down the right-hand side.
Continued high pressing against Williams allowed James to control the game in wide areas while also preventing United from building attacks. The 20-year-old’s high work rate indeed curbed the threat from Solskjaer’s men but equally added attacking threat for the Blues.
Mason Mount’s strike just after the halftime break, for example, came through James forcing a mistake out of Williams who gave up possession in a key attacking area. The continued pressure from the right-back showed just why Lampard is eager to have full-backs willing to press the opposition in higher areas of the pitch.
Such a strategy could be key when Chelsea take on Liverpool this Wednesday given the attacking threat posed by Andy Robertson down the Reds’ left-hand side.
Stopping the influence of Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold has been difficult this season but United perhaps provided the best blueprint for stopping them in the Premier League despite a 2-0 loss.
United deployed a 3-4-3 system similar to the one used by Chelsea which forced Liverpool’s full-backs further back than they are used to against more basic tactical set-ups.
Therefore James could play a pivotal role in ensuring that Robertson isn’t afforded the time and space in attacking areas that has proved so valuable since joining in 2017.
For the Chelsea right-back, it will be another good test of his qualities at a young age and certainly a crucial one given how tight the race for the top four is as it reaches a climax.
