In-form Pulisic has the pace to unsettle City
CHELSEA v MANCHESTER CITY
Well, whatever Leeds can do, right? It might not, of course, be quite as simple as that. Last week’s shock win for Marcelo Bielsa’s team may just have come at the right time for a Manchester City side still on course for a quadruple.
If that imperious performance against Borussia Dortmund is anything to go by, the defeat to 10-man Leeds delivered a timely reminder of the dangers lurking when you take your eye off the ball for just a second.
Thomas Tuchel can vouch for that, having seen his previously unbeaten Chelsea side concede five goals to West Brom. But, just like Pep Guardiola, the German coach seems to have quickly steered the ship back on course in time for two huge semi-finals.
This one, undoubtedly, does not measure up to the Champions League version, but victory tomorrow over an outfit that could rightfully be described as the best in the world just now would work wonders for the belief of those players in the Chelsea dressing room.
Plenty of them are on form, too. Christian Pulisic, for one, seems to be peaking at a fantastic time. So far at least, it has not been the best of seasons for the US international but that does not matter, not when all the important bits are still to come.
His searing pace and direct style could easily cause problems to John Stones, by no means the quickest defender out there. Backed up by Mason Mount, the absolute definition of consistency, Pulisic is capable of creating a few waves. With this in mind, I reckon Kyle Walker’s speed will be used as a deterrent.
And then we come to Kai Havertz, a player I said needed time in this column last week, who promptly burst into life at Crystal Palace to suggest his elegant, languid game could also cause problems. Without seeming to do too much, Havertz is one of those players who can instinctively find space in a crowded area. Add that to his very capable feet and Tuchel might pick him again for
IT hasn’t been the best of seasons for Christian Pulisic but his direct style could easily cause problems for City and he is 10/1 to have more than one shot on target in each half that withdrawn central role, a tactic used by Guardiola many a time.
Chelsea, you would imagine, will have to score a couple because, for all their defensive solidity under Tuchel, it is difficult to see them shutting City out completely, not when Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden are carrying the fight with such thrilling chutzpah.
This is where the vast experience of Thiago Silva comes in. Chelsea need their best defender on top of his game, organising and covering when those sky blue shirts start swarming around. Not many time a tackle better than the Brazilian, a skill that should be regularly needed on Wembley’s wide pastures.
It is going to be tight — that looks fairly certain — but there is too much firstclass talent for it to be boring.
Alan says...