Chelsea have a tough game against Newcastle United in the Premier League tomorrow.
Newcastle have already beaten Chelsea 4-1 in the top flight this season, while the Magpies also took them all the way to penalties in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
With a deep backline, Mauricio Pochettino‘s men have found it hard to create chances against their upcoming opponents.
It is why the Argentine may have to play Cole Palmer as the No.10 instead of Conor Gallagher if he uses a 4-2-3-1 formation.
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Cole Palmer has the creativity to break Newcastle down
Palmer is naturally a No.10, but Pochettino has mostly used him as a right winger and makeshift striker this season.
However, with Newcastle being a side who sit deep, Chelsea are going to need Palmer’s creativity and for the 21-year-old not to get isolated out wide.
Palmer has provided seven assists in the Premier League this season and is making 1.5 key passes per game, which is the highest average in Pochettino’s squad (WhoScored).
It took an incredible free-kick from Raheem Sterling for Chelsea to score the last time these two sides met in the top flight, showing how much trouble they had trying to break down Newcastle’s defence at St James’ Park.
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Conor Gallagher dilemma
If Pochettino does move Palmer to the No.10 position, it means the 52-year-old will have to drop Gallagher a bit deeper.
Gallagher has started a lot of games as an attacking midfielder this season, with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo playing behind him.
All three have been key players for Pochettino, so it is unlikely that he will drop any for the Newcastle match.
However, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur manager cannot get Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher and Palmer all into a 4-2-3-1 system with the last of that quartet starting as the No.10.
Fortunately, football is very flexible today. Palmer can easily interchange with his team-mates and drift inside from the right if he starts there. But it could be a good tactic keeping the England international in the middle given the opposition Chelsea will be facing tomorrow.
