As we’ve heard from multiple sources, Chelsea opted to activate Tyler Adams’ release clause and poach the defensive midfielder away from Elland Road. Rumors have it that Adams’ release clause is a rather reasonable £20m – a number that is no issue for the Blues from London.
Chelsea’s boss Todd Boehly is undoubtedly displeased by how Chelsea looked during the 2022/23 season. That’s why we have the club as one of the most active players on the 2023 summer transfer market so far. Signing Tyler Adams would definitely not be a surprise for anyone.
Chelsea already have World Cup champion Enzo Fernandez in the defensive midfield, with 19-year-old youngsters Andrey Santos and Lesley Ugochukwu looking to use the few chances they get.
So, how could Tyler Adams fit into coach Mauricio Pochettino’s starting XI, with so many world-class players boosting Chelsea’s ranks? Let’s see the options in front of the Argentine manager.
Chelsea’s midfield at the moment
At the start of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, coach Pochettino has a devastatingly good midfield. With 22-year-old Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, Christopher Nkunku, and Raheem Sterling, the key positions seem locked, but there does seem to be something missing.
Let’s take the pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund for example. Mauricio Pocettino decided to put Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez among the starters. And while the duo did just fine, Pochettino couldn’t rest his star midfielders, as there are simply no good alternatives at his disposal at the moment.
He could ask Carney Chukwuemeka to fall back and help with defense, but that’s not where the 19-year-old shines the brightest.
Chelsea’s starting XI looks good at the moment, but with a tiresome and long 2023/24 season ahead of the Blues from London, injuries and suspensions of your two defensive midfielders are bound to happen. Having an extra player suitable for this role is simply a vital task in front of Todd Boehly before the transfer window closes on September 1st.
How could Chelsea line up with Tyler Adams?
As we mentioned earlier, there aren’t many options in front of Mauricio Pochettino when it comes to defensive midfielders. There are plenty of attacking options to pick, but not enough defensive ones.
That’s why we could potentially see Chelsea line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Tyler Adams partnering up with Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez. Ahead of them, we’ll most likely have Sterling, Chukwuemeka, and Mudryk making chances for the forward. Pochettino seems to favor 4-2-3-1 with Nicolas Jackson leading the charge alone. So, this definitely means the defensive midfield role is a vital one.
At Elland Road, Tyler Adams was used in the same formation with fellow countryman Weston McKennie by his side. The duo seemed to click just fine and we believe that’s exactly what the Argentine coach was looking for – a player that needs no introduction to the 4-2-3-1 style.
We could potentially see Chelsea line up in a 3-5-2, but this will only give Tyler Adams more minutes. Chelsea used the 3-5-2 in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final game against Real Madrid, as they hoped that winning the midfield will help them avoid defeat. It didn’t pan out as planned, but a 3-5-2 with Fernandez – Adams – Gallagher in the center of it all does look intimidating.
