‘That suits’… ESPN pundit thinks Chelsea’s new system could be perfect for £30m player

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Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino did something different in his side’s 2-2 draw with Brentford last weekend.

Mauricio Pochettino has mostly used a back four this season but decided to go with a back three in the west London derby at the Gtech Community Stadium.

It saw Ben Chilwell and Malo Gusto start as the wing-backs and ESPN journalist Julien Laurens, speaking on The Gab & Juls Show, claimed that this new set-up suits the pair.

There is no guarantee that Pochettino will continue using it going forward, though.

The Argentine explained after the game that he switched formation because he wanted to get another centre-back on the pitch to support Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher, who were all tired.

Three at the back suits Malo Gusto

Chelsea using a three-man defence could be perfect for Gusto and Chilwell, according to Laurens.

Discussing the Blues’ system change against Brentford, Laurens said: “I think this suits Chilwell and Gusto. Maybe he wanted to mirror what Brentford were doing, I don’t know. I didn’t say I like it or not, I just said that that suits Chilwell and Gusto.”

Malo Gusto perfect for wing-back role

Gusto is so good going forward, so the 20-year-old is a natural fit for the right wing-back role.

He actually got an assist in the 2-2 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium, whipping in a beautiful ball that Nicolas Jackson was able to put away with his head.

In total, Gusto, who cost Chelsea £30.7m (BBC Sport) after joining from Lyon, has set up five goals in the Premier League this season, so he really does bring an attacking threat to the side.

Playing the Frenchman further forward could help him to utilise that threat even more. And in general, a three-man defence with wing-backs is a system that Chelsea have had a lot of success with in the past, so it could be a good tactic for Pochettino to use going forward.

It is the system Thomas Tuchel used to win the Champions League, with Chilwell and Reece James playing huge roles from the left wing-back and right wing-back positions.