Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has mostly used a back four this season.
However, last time out, Mauricio Pochettino went with a back three, starting Trevoh Chalobah in the middle as Chelsea went on to draw 2-2 with their west London rivals Brentford.
The central defender has now spoken to the club’s official website about playing in the role and system.
Chalobah started his career as a midfielder, but after a chat with Chelsea legend Claude Makelele, he changed into a centre-half.
After missing the first half of the season because of injury, Chalobah has got a lot of game time under Pochettino of late. The 24-year-old has featured in all of the Blues’ last four fixtures.
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Trevoh Chalobah comfortable in middle of back three
Chalobah says he has no problem with being the central centre-back in a three-man defence.
On playing there, he said: “It’s a role I’m comfortable in and I’ll play wherever I’m needed. I’ve played in the middle of a three, on the right under Thomas Tuchel, I played on the left in France too. It’s just about what is best for the team.
“I felt good in that Brentford game. The legs felt stronger. Once you get back into the flow of matches, it becomes easier.”
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Could Chelsea stick with a back three?
When everyone is fit, it may be the way to go. The Blues have a lot of quality in central defence and the wing-back positions.
The likes of Thiago Silva and Reece James are great options, for example. The problem is, though, there has not been a point this season where everyone has been fit.
Pochettino also seems to prefer a back four and said he only changed his system against Brentford to compensate for his tired midfield.
It is not impossible that the Argentine changes to a back three or uses it again before the season ends, but we think he will continue to rely on a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation. Whatever he uses, it has got to get more out of this Chelsea team, who currently sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
