Talking Tactics: James and Chilwell are crucial parts of Poch's Blueprint

Amidst Chelsea's vast array of signings, Reece James and Ben Chilwell could hold the key to Mauricio Pochettino's hopes of success at Stamford Bridge this season.

The wing-backs were heavily involved in an encouraging display by the Blues in their 1-1 draw with Liverpool last weekend.

Ahead of Sunday's London derby with West Ham, we look at how the England duo will set up in the Argentine's attacking machine.

License to thrill

If Sunday's entertaining draw is anything to go by, the sight of James — named club captain by Pochettino — and Chilwell bombing down the flanks is one Chelsea fans should get used to.

Selected as the left and right and wing-backs in a 3-4-3 formation at Stamford Bridge, the pair were regularly involved in attacks and often the furthest players forward for the home side.

Chilwell's disallowed goal in the first half was a prime example of this. 

The ex-Leicester man was threaded through by Enzo Fernandez before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home for a run and finish more akin to a striker rather than a full-back. 

Previous blueprint

Looking back to Pochettino's time with Tottenham, full-backs Kyle Walker and Danny Rose took up similar advanced positions, allowing Spurs to stretch teams with pace out wide. 

That duo developed into two of the Premier League's best in the department, with Walker going on to enjoy a stellar career with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City after leaving Spurs.

Though used in a slightly different system on Sunday, James and Chilwell certainly have the skillset to do similar damage in West London.

They were responsible for three of the five big chances Chelsea created in the clash, with Chilwell providing the assist for Axel Disasi's equaliser. 

All or nothing

While Sunday was proof of its effectiveness, it also shined a light on Chelsea's lack of depth in those areas after both withdrew from the game early.

Gary Neville said on his podcast after the game: "What we've seen is that Chelsea have fantastic wing-backs but they've both gone off, first game of the season.

"That will destroy Pochettino's plans. If you're going to play wing-backs, they have to be outstanding players of high quality, who attack like wingers and defend like full-backs, and they have that.

"But the big question mark is if those two can stay fit. Those wing-backs are crucial and if they lose them the whole thing could fall apart a little."

Risky business

Replacements in the game Malo Gusto and Lesley Ugochukwu — 20 and 19 respectively — could prove to be worthy understudies but a regular starting berth is perhaps a tall order right now.

Left-sided defender Marc Cucurella was left on the bench at Stamford Bridge and his role under Poch remains unclear after an underwhelming first season at Stamford Bridge.

That leaves James and Chilwell as the go-to men in that area when fit and James' fitness is already in doubt for the trip to the London Stadium.

Given the pair missed a combined 34 Premier League matches last term, Pochettino pinning his long-term hopes on the duo is undoubtedly a gamble.