Chelsea check these FOUR differences between Nagelsmann and Enrique as Todd Bohely set to make huge decision
While other coaches are still said to be in the frame to replace Frank Lampard as Chelsea’s next permanent manager, it seems clear that the Blues’ two preferred candidates are Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique.
Both have very strong track records, but they have contrasting outlooks on the game, which could see the club go in very different directions depending on who gets the job.
In this post, we will be profiling Nagelsmann and Enrique in terms of their tactics, transfer strategy, attack and defensive numbers.
1) Tactical Setup: Enrique is very much wedded to his 4-3-3 system. It is the formation that he has predominantly used throughout his time in management, having rarely veered away from it at Roma, Celta Vigo, Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
Nagelsmann, in contrast, is far more pragmatic and, like Thomas Tuchel, he is happy to use a system that best fits the profile of the players at his disposal.
During his stints at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig, he switched regularly from four at the back to a three at the back, while at Bayern he predominantly used a four-man defence.
2) Transfer Demands: In this area, you do have to take into account that Nagelsmann has been at teams that have had much lower transfer budgets for most of his managerial career, although Enrique did have a spell at Celta where finances were tight.
When we look at the average fee per player that the two managers have signed, Enrique’s (€11,003,014) is nearly double that of Nagelsmann’s (€6,530,303). Some of that is down to the clubs they were managing and the sporting directors they were working under.
However, it also highlights the difference in managerial philosophy. Enrique requires players who fit his system, while Nagelsmann is happier to work with the squad he has.
3) Attacking Intent: Again, we do have to preface these stats by making it clear that circumstances and the different profile of clubs they were managing can play a role in how many goals their teams have scored. Even so, it is still interesting to see the differences.
Nagelsmann’s teams have scored 705 goals in his 315 matches as a manager in senior football, which is an average of 2.24 goals per match.
Enrique’s teams, meanwhile, have scored 724 times in 306 games, which is an average of 2.37 goals per match. A 0.13 difference might not seem a lot but it does suggest the Spaniard is more attack-minded.
4) Defensive Solidity: A strong defensive setup is something that the Blues have been missing for quite some time so the next coach needs to be able to set up his team well at the back.
Nagelsmann’s 315 matches have seen his teams let in 389 goals, which equates to a goal every 1.23 games being conceded.
Enrique’s teams, in contrast, have conceded exactly one goal a game, 306 in 306 matches, which indicates he would be the manager to keep more clean sheets.