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The three tactics Chelsea MUST use to beat Wolves in crunch clash
CHELSEA take on Wolves in an important Premier League clash Maurizio Sarri’s side need to win if they’re to keep up their top four chances - but what THREE tactics should they employ against their opponents?
Chelsea currently sit sixth in the Premier League with two games in hand to play.
The first against Wolves, though, could put them back into fourth place, but it depends on Manchester United’s clash with Arsenal at the Emirates.
The last time Chelsea came up against Wolves they were ousted 2-1 at Molineux, in what was Sarri’s second loss as Chelsea manager.
Here are the three tactics Chelsea should look to use with Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves later today:
Heap men forward on set pieces
When Chelsea win corners, free-kicks and even throw-ins near Wolves’ box, it’s important they get as many big men in the box as possible.
Wolves are a relatively small team and they don’t take kindly to precise crosses being played into the box. Antonio Rudiger should look to cause havoc in the penalty area any moment he gets.
Santo’s men have conceded 10 goals from set pieces this season in the Premier League, and have scored more own goals than any other team.
Play Kante in a defensive role
With the likes of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho in their midfield ranks, Wolves have proved to be dangerous opposition from deep all season.
Chelsea will need to stop one, if not both of them. The best way to do that would be to deploy N’Golo Kante in a more defensive role.
While Kante’s position has been higher afield this season, Sarri will have to think about the dangers that Neves and Moutinho, two top creative midfielders, pose.
Emerson NEEDS to start
Wolves aren’t just a dangerous side in the middle of the park, they also pose a substantial threat down the right thanks to the marauding runs of Matt Doherty and Adama Traore.
Chelsea need to expect plenty of overlaps and, defensively, they need to be tighter than ever down that side.
Emerson, who is a better defender than out-of-sorts Marcos Alonso, needs to start ahead of the Spaniard. The Brazilian-Italian doesn’t get drawn out of position like his counterpart Alonso, and he’ll need to be on his toes at all times.