Paul Merson has given huge praise on what the Chelsea defence could shape up like in the new season.
Despite the exits of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger this summer, there’s a lot of excitement about how the Blues will look at the back. The way Thomas Tuchel has started in pre-season it seems like he’ll continue with the system of a back three, which is a formation that gets the best out of the wing-backs at Stamford Bridge.
Thiago Silva, 37, is still in the squad and most fans expect him to start as the central centre-back.
He may be joined by 31-year-old centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, who’s completed a transfer from Napoli to West London already in this window.
Will the trio of centre-backs be completed by another new signing? It’s been reported that Chelsea could complete a deal for 23-year-old defender Jules Kounde from Sevilla imminently.
Merson on Chelsea defence
Pundit Merson sounds very excited about a potential new combination deployed by Chelsea boss Tuchel consisting of Kounde, Kounde and Silva.
It looks like a perfect blend of experience and youth on paper, but nobody will truly know until they get on the pitch together.
“The likes of Kounde and Koulibaly alongside Thiago Silva as part of a back three is as solid as it gets,” Merson wrote.
If the aforementioned trio nail down a spot in the best XI, there could be some quality cover in the squad with youngsters such as Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill.
Build from the back
It’s no secret that the majority of successful teams that win trophies have very solid foundations in defence.
It would be quite the change if Chelsea press ahead with two new faces in their back three, but they appear to be recruiting very impressively with their signings.
There’s still plenty of work to be done in terms of finding the clinical touch in attack. Every Blues supporter can be excited and optimistic about the new season if a combination of Kounde, Koulibaly and Silva clicks straight away, though.
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