Callum Hudson-Odoi never quite appreciated playing right wingback. Thomas Tuchel, who became Chelsea’s head coach in January 2021, assigned him to the position, but it never felt like a natural fit. This week, Hudson-Odoi stated in an interview with the Athletic, “At times, it was OK.” “But sometimes I ask myself, ‘What am I doing and why am I in this position?'” I am more defensive than offensive.'”
All of Hudson-sprinting Odoi’s toward his own goal hampered the winger’s flair, resulting in his August exit from Chelsea. The loan to Bayer Leverkusen signified a new beginning for the 21-year-old, who is eager to demonstrate his abilities as a conventional winger.
However, Hudson-Odoi might have been better off waiting. After he joined Leverkusen, the atmosphere at Chelsea altered. Out went Tuchel and in came Graham Potter, who wasted no time introducing Chelsea to an intriguing, perhaps outlandish tactical concept: the wing-back as an auxiliary winger, a theoretically defensive position employed as a mode of attack, and occasional reliance on the back three to fend for themselves.
What is this insanity? A first glance at Chelsea’s lineup against RB Salzburg on Tuesday may have suggested that little has changed following the dismissal of Tuchel. The formation appeared familiar: three center-backs, two wing-backs, and in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a striker who failed to capitalize on several easy opportunities.
With Potter, however, part of the fun is attempting to predict where the players will be placed in the starting XI. In reality, the former Brighton manager’s system against Salzburg consisted of Jorginho shielding the defense, Mateo Kovacic and Conor Gallagher driving forward from central midfield, Kai Havertz partnering Aubameyang up front, and most intriguingly, Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic as wing-backs.
It was a dangerous move by Potter, who may have more surprises up his sleeve when he goes to Brighton on Saturday, and it is difficult not to question whether it is sustainable, given that it is unlikely that Sterling had this in mind when he joined Chelsea from Manchester City.
At first glance, the player who was expected to be Chelsea’s primary attacker is performing a team-related task. Four of Potter’s first nine games featured Sterling at wingback, and he has not scored in his last eight appearances. He has replaced Hudson-Odoi. Next summer, a loan to Union Berlin is imminent.
However, this is not entirely the case. Neither Sterling nor Pulisic was under instruction to perform much defense against Salzburg. They pushed high, slipped inside, and frequently switched flanks. At one point, Sterling shifted in from the left flank to initiate a fluid, one-touch passing play. Later, he dropped deep to throw a magnificent ball to Havertz.
Sterling was dazzling. As for Pulisic, he was a dynamic right winger. The American is on a hot streak and was outstanding against Salzburg, luring players to him with deft dribbling and setting up Havertz’s game-winning assist.
It was enjoyable to watch. After a recent creative slump, Chelsea displayed flexibility and originality against Salzburg. Potter is not committed to a single method. He adapts to the opponent and understood that exploiting Salzburg’s small formation required breadth.
It was designed for Pulisic and Sterling, who also started as a left wingback in Potter’s debut against Salzburg. The challenge is to not perceive it as attacking players being restrained. Ultimately, Leandro Trossard and Solly March excelled as wing-backs for Brighton under Potter.
However, the plan includes defensive risks. Take Tuesday’s equalizer scored by Salzburg. Thiago Silva exposed Chelsea by stepping out of position and losing a tackle. When the fullback’s cross hit the far post, Marc Cucurella was faced with an overload due to Maximilian Wober’s escape from Pulisic. Junior Adamu was able to score because Sterling had failed to provide support for Chelsea’s left center back.
At that moment, thoughts returned to Brentford manager Thomas Frank discussing Sterling’s intricate involvement in his team’s recent goalless tie with Chelsea. Potter’s early strategy was conservative, with Cucurella starting at left wing-back and Pulisic and Sterling not entering the game until the hour mark.
The alteration changed the dynamic. On the one hand, Sterling was dangerous following his substitution; nevertheless, as Frank pointed out, the England international’s unconventional interpretation of the wing-back position allowed Brentford’s Mads Roerslev to make repeated unimpeded forays down Chelsea’s left flank.
During Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, Sterling also toiled at right wing-back. This experiment was immediately abandoned, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek shifting to the right side of the midfield, and it is unlikely that Potter will play as freely against Brighton or when Arsenal visits Stamford Bridge next Sunday.
Under Potter, Chelsea has conceded only four goals, and a good indicator is that they have opted for greater balance against more formidable opponents. Cucurella and Ben Chilwell have rotated on the left wing, while Reece James is a must-start on the right wing when healthy.
Since James suffered a knee injury, Potter has been forced to adapt. James is more than a defender; this season, he has been Chelsea’s most productive attacker, making his replacement difficult. César Azpilicueta is not suited to rushing up and down the right wing, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek prefers to play in the center of the pitch, so Potter must find ways to change things up.
Possibly, he would have employed Hudson-Odoi. Being a wing-back for the Harry Potter football team does not involve sacrifice. It is a Chelsea offensive tactic that makes them less predictable.
They still struggle with inconsistency in the last third and may become mired against obstinate opponents, but there is a method to their madness. Sterling and Pulisic have unconventional positions. They might not know anything about defense. However, they are also providing Chelsea with far more diversity. It appears to be a lot of fun when it works.
