Chelsea cannot be stable
The results of a series of pre-season friendlies, especially the crushing 0-4 loss to Arsenal in the US, showed that the squad in Thomas Tuchel's hands still has many shortcomings.
When he was determined to leave Romelu Lukaku, Tuchel brought Raheem Sterling so that the attack line would not lack quality. Along with that, the German coach determined that Kai Havertz will take on the role of a full-time center forward from this season, not simply a "false 9" as before. All of those calculations are reasonable in theory, but on-field practice has not left many positive aspects for Chelsea.
In the loss to Arsenal in the summer tour, the Blues' attack was most easily seen as disjointed. Last season, there was a time when Tuchel pushed all the ball to Lukaku in attack. When the Belgian striker made a difference, he changed the option of crossing the flank and waiting for Havertz to enter the penalty area from the outside. Up to now, when Havertz is still not fully familiar with the new role, his former teammates such as Hakim Ziyech or Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner are still disappointed. In particular, those who were once considered a great expectation like Callum Hudson-Odoi still continue to show themselves as just a young talent.
Chelsea's defense in the loss to Arsenal was chaotic and inconsistent when in the second half, Tuchel sent new signing kalidou Koulibaly onto the field. However, throughout the match, the attacks of this line like at the beginning of last season were not repeated. Thiago Silva is still not fit enough and Reece James does not seem to be really well after the serious injury he suffered last season.
In general, the away trip at Goodison Park at the beginning of the season will be less healthy and more severe. If The Blues lose points, even leave empty-handed, it is not too surprising.
Everton has escaped death and is full of vitality
When The Toffees officially stayed in the league in round 37 last season, their fans flooded the field to celebrate as if the team had won the Premier League for the first time. A big name, rich in tradition like Everton, if they were relegated last season would be a huge disaster.
Having lost Richarlison to Tottenham, Van de Beek returning to M.U,... but Frank Lampard still has a series of promising new players, especially James Tarkowski from Burnley, a player of the Premier League's working class and can suit all circumstances. Everton will not focus on spending money to welcome stars this Summer, they only buy players from lower leagues or from leagues outside the Top 5 of Europe's top leagues. What needs to be done now is to stabilize the squad and exploit the potential of those who have and will stay.
The home advantage of Goodison Park will be a great motivation for Everton to hope for a good start. This season, Lampard will not just compete for relegation, he wants to lead his students to the group that plays in the European Cup, that is the direction given by the board when the former Chelsea captain took over from Rafa Benitez last season.
The match between Everton and Chelsea will take place at 11:30 p.m. on August 6 (Vietnam time), live on K+.
