Chelsea are about to take on West Ham at the London Stadium, and as always Thomas Tuchel has had a few tweaks up his sleeve.
N’Golo Kante returns to the team, allowing Mason Mount to push forwards and take Hakim Ziyech’s place – that was to be expected.
But it’s at the back that there’s an interesting difference.
Cesar Azpilicueta has been shifted out to right wing back, with Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger making up the three central defenders in the 343.
Presumably this is just giving Reece James a break – but previously Tuchel had preferred to use Callum Hudson-Odoi in these situations. Given CHO isn’t getting much game time in the front 3 at the moment, this would have been an ideal chance for him to play.
Is this the end of the experiment for him in that role? Social media was alive with debate.
You can see a selection of their reaction in the Tweets embedded here:
https://twitter.com/HenriqueSpeaks/status/1385980449307205637
When I was telling someone Tuchel doesn’t rate Hudson-Odoi, they called me a mad man. They said no beard, no opinion. Ok
— Oyekime Oyenekwe (@LeftySalami) April 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/FcukKroenke/status/1385983367485788165
What is Tuchels issue with Hudson Odoi?
— DonkeysOut (@CarvalhoJTlite) April 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/OboiLondon/status/1385987742635548676
There is no issue with Hudson Odoi hes big on ball retention Callum loses it alot! Sarri Lampard never played him theres a trend here… Give Callum time still very young!
— The Chelsea Way (@ShoSport) April 24, 2021
Someone said this is Azpilicueta bombing up and down the pitch as WB😭😭 pic.twitter.com/23efXcjFWj
— Tas (@taseen_a) April 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/Tharin7ii/status/1385985256059146242
Tuchel really dey bore me. Azpilicueta at RWB so that what?
— LEGBA (@eQlenam) April 24, 2021
Apparently Azpilicueta at RWB is suddenly haram. This fanbase. Sigh…😪
— Dennis the Menace (@LikeDennis_) April 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/oaalIl/status/1385981974590992385
The choice of Chilwell and Azpilicueta as wing-backs seems like intended to nullify West Ham's opposite numbers. https://t.co/PBoNoKS9mQ
— Za3Zou3 (@OmarZaaZou) April 24, 2021
Agreed. Why force Azpilicueta into the team just because he is captain? Will get ran ragged. https://t.co/5yUe6mhOcn
— Sternritter M. (@terremoto_44) April 24, 2021
Wait… Azpilicueta has become more interesting option now that he plays RWB https://t.co/0vk3ZyI3Yi
— FPL unDæniable 🇲🇾 (@unDaeniableFPL) April 24, 2021
Azpilicueta as right wing back ?
James & CHO on the bench ?
Let’s hope this doesn’t come back & bite us.
— Zee (@_Caasi_) April 24, 2021
Why not play Hudson-Odoi RWB?
— allthingschels (@allthingschels1) April 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/CFCNORTH6/status/1385980983493730307
Azpilicueta at RWB hmm, probably to deal with Lingard I guess. https://t.co/ifpDBAnt1y
— GeneralUtd (@GeneralUtd) April 24, 2021
Tuchel confirms Azpi wing-back: "The back three is a bit taller than if Azpi plays there (centre back) so we gain centimetres in set pieces." #CFC #WHUCHE
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) April 24, 2021
