Do Chelsea have the Wingbacks to fit Tuchel’s philosophy?

Brief summary of Tuchel’s favoured Wingback-profile (in attack).

As highlighted in previous articles, regardless of formation, Tuchel’s philosophy manifests itself into a 3-4-3 diamond. The fullback, in this philosophy, plays a crucial role in all parts of this system (the back-3, midfield diamond and front 3), while the wingback plays a crucial part in 2 of the 3 parts (the midfield diamond and front 3). In less words, the fullback (in a back 4) is required to also play as part of the back-3, in progression, while the wingback is not (due to already having 3 CBs).

The Back-3

In a 4-ATB, the fullback must be able to sometimes play as that wide CB, within the 3-2 base. As we know, this 3-2 base acts as a ball-playing-hub, whereby vertical passes are launched toward the no.10s and wide front 3. Therefore, the fullback must have the deep-lying ball playing capacity and tactical know-how to do so, from various angles within that 3-2 base. With that, as mentioned above, the wingback would not be required to do so, as in a 3-ATB, there is already natural 3 CBs to play in that role.

The Midfield Diamond

When a wide midfield diamond 3-4-3 is created, a wide-overload manifests. Play is progressed via this wide overload, whereby the wingback usually takes up wide midfield areas in build-up. Therefore, Tuchel’s wingback must have the ball-retention, carrying and distributive ability to play-off and with surrounding players, in this wide overload, to spark attacks.

The Front-3

Tuchel’s wingback must be able to act as a wide winger. That is, he must have the physical and technical ability to take on defenders (1v1 and 1v2) in order to create chances in that final 3rd. Upon receiving the ball, the winger must have the ball-retention and progression ability to act as a winger, and thus may be an excellent dribbler, ball carrier, passer and crosser.

Do our current Wing-backs meet such profile?

Before we get into the 2 wingback roles of each player, I want to touch on the ball-playing role of each of these players as part of a back 3, in the case of a back-4. While I agree, Chilwell and Reece James are natural fullbacks, in Tuchel’s philosophy, I believe all 3 players will have to improve their vertical ball-playing ability from wide CB and wide DM zones, in order to be a part of that 3-2 base consistently. Now, onto the responsibilities on the wingback.

Ben Chilwell

I believe Chilwell is the model/perfect wingback in Tuchel’s philosophy. That is, he has the physical and technical ability to play as part of the wide midfield diamond, as well as the wide front 3. Firstly, as part of the wide midfield overload, Chilwell has already shown his fantastic ball retention and ball carrying ability from deep to advanced wide areas. In that sense, he is a true connector from the back 3 to front 3, as he seems to effortlessly glide from defence to attack. Here, he seamlessly operates under pressure, and flourishes in that role. That is, in contrast to the other role of the wingback.

While I believe Ben Chilwell has the physical and technical capability to play as part of that front 3, I am yet to see him consistently play that part. What I mean, is that, while I often see him make overlapping runs into wide areas, I have hardly seen him receive the ball as winger, and carry it 1v1 and 1v2 against defenders to create chances in the final 3rd. That being said, I do believe he has the raw materials to do so, and with work, he can be Tuchel’s ideal wingback.

Reece James

Much like Chilwell, I believe Reece James does fantastic as part of the wide midfield overload diamond. That is, he flourishes in wide midfield areas, acting as a connector between defence and attack in progression. That being said, what about as part of the wide front 3?

Unlike Chilwell, who I said has the raw materials to become lethal in the front 3, I do not believe Reece James possesses those abilities. That is, while Reece James is deadly in overlapping in wide areas into space and shooting/crossing, I do not see Reece James as a ball carrier in those zones. What do I mean by that? I mean that, Reece James does well in receiving the ball in space in such areas, but does not do well in carrying the ball and beating players 1v1 and 1v2 in such areas, like a typical winger would. I do not believe Reece possess such skills, nor the speed/acceleration to do so, and is one of the reasons we see him play so much sideways and backwards passes from such zones.

For these reasons, I believe we have seen Tuchel make RJ into a more inverted wingback, roaming into no.10 areas, while our no.10s keep as wide wingers. Thus, finding a way to play Reece James (due to his immense talent), and keeping his philosophy.

In conclusion

In conclusion, I believe Ben Chilwell is the perfect Tuchel wingback, while Reece James tick many boxes except for 1. With that, we can see Tuchel continue to cater to such and adapting by implementing the inverted wingback.