Tactical Analysis of the PL game between Brighton and Chelsea.

Graham Potter replicating Arteta, Frank Lampard's attacking intent and what to expect from Chelsea this season #BHACHE

Part 1: Chelsea set up in a 4-2-2-2 formation. Lampard likes to progress the ball using the full backs. They play it to an advanced midfielder in the half spaces and if that's not an option play a long pass down the wing.

Against Brighton Chelsea didn't have wingers so Havertz couldn't recieve the ball.

On the opposite wing Werner often dropped into the half space or drifted to the wing to be that extra player Chelsea lacked. RLC failed to do the same on the right. He had a poor game overall attempting 17 passes with a 64.7% accuracy and failing to complete even 1 of 3 dribbles

Werner with his intelligent movement helped Chelsea create an opening in the 9th minute. You can't see him in this picture but Lallana is covering the passing lane to Werner which opens the angle for Zouma to pass to Mount between the lines.

Part 2: Once Mount recieved the ball between the lines Chelsea moved on to their next plan for attack which I will explain now.

The only pattern I noticed last season:
- Long pass to striker who drops deep
- advanced midfielder makes run in behind

Lampard has slightly developed this into a different pattern. I have only seen a few hints of this pattern so I cant say for sure whether it's intentional or not.

If I am correct about this pattern, the signings make total sense as Ziyech is a left footed winger/#10 who likes to whip in long passes to the far post and Havertz is a false 9/#10 who often drops deep/rotates or can look to make runs to long diagonal passes from Mount/Pulisic.

The one time Chelsea managed to progress the ball, (thanks to Werner) they immediately tried this pattern. Mount's pass was slightly overhit and Havertz couldn't get to the end of it.

Another example of this pattern: Werner drops deeper to recieve the ball. Havertz makes a run in behind.

But the CB didnt follow Werner so there is no space to play the ball into

One more example: Werner drops deep. This time the CB follows him and this creates space for RLC to make a run but Kante misplaces the pass.

Example of Mount playing a ball to the far post from the half space. This is how I expect Chelsea to create chances vs more settled defences. Brighton have sat back in this frame.

Its good to see Lampard trying to implement something no matter how little. The question now is, how effective will this strategy be and can Lampard perfect it. It takes managers years to develop their system and find solutions to cover weaknesses.

Part 3: Last season Chelsea had structural problems in defence that resulted in 55 goals conceded throughout 38 PL games.

You can read more about it here: https://twitter.com/DictatorJorgi/status/1287834154927824897?s=20

Surprisingly, not many teams tried to exploit this weakness, at least not intentionally. Until the FA cup final when it really mattered the most. Arteta dragged Chelsea CBs out of position to create space behind them. https://twitter.com/DictatorJorgi/status/1297178355775700992?s=20

Graham Potter tried to replicate Arteta on Monday night. Zouma often followed his man up to the halfway line but Chelsea's compact shape denied Brighton players the time and space to play passes into the danger areas behind Zouma.

Chelsea played more compact in midfield, but despite being few, there were still a couple cases of Kante and Jorginho being drawn out of position. If these occasions decrease we can say Lampard has at least done something about the lack of compactness in midfield.

End of thread.