Lee Dixon has highlighted the combination of Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell as a huge positive from Chelsea’s win last night.
Chelsea beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 yesterday at Stamford Bridge, which eliminated the Germans from the Champions League and booked their spot in the quarter-finals.
The Blues scored through Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz to secure qualification for the next round. On top of that, Graham Potter’s side showed great defensive steel to hold on for a clean sheet.
Many doubted Chelsea could reach the quarters after losing the first leg 1-0 against Dortmund, but they’re just starting to find a little bit of form lately.
BBC pundit Dixon thinks Chelsea’s 3-4-3 shape worked a treat against Dortmund.
In particular, he mentioned the influence of Cucurella and Chilwell on the left-hand side of the pitch.
“Graham Potter will be really pleased with his back three, they’ve been so well-balanced, especially Cucurella on the left and Chilwell further ahead,” Dixon told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Cucurella, 24, put in one his best performances of the season as the left-sided centre-back in a back three.
Meanwhile, 26-year-old Chilwell started ahead of him as the left wing-back.
Dixon thinks it’s a partnership where the players complemented each other really well.
It looks like Potter has found a way to get both Cucurella and Chilwell in the same line-up, something he should definitely stick with in upcoming fixtures.
Chelsea’s switch of formation definitely lends itself to the aforementioned duo.
Cucurella, who earned big praise from his manager post-match, suits last night’s role a lot better than being a full-back in a back four.
He’s the perfect anchor to sit in behind Chilwell, who gives so much to the Blues XI as an offensive threat from a wing-back role.
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