Chelsea brace for long-throw onslaught as Lincoln visit in Carabao Cup
Lincoln City boss Michael Skubala explains the revival of the unfancied long throw, aided by AI-driven set-piece work, as Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca prepares for the challenge
Chelsea are braced for a long throw onslaught as they prepare to host Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup. The fixture underscores a growing trend of long deliveries from the touchline becoming a weapon at the highest level, a development Chelsea will have to manage after conceding a late equaliser to a long delivery in a 2-2 draw with Brentford earlier this month. The looming test also places Enzo Maresca in a spotlight as he tries to balance a demanding schedule with a club that sits at the pinnacle of English football, including Champions League commitments, while facing a team known for pragmatic, data-driven preparation.
Lincoln City manager Michael Skubala operates with one of the league s smallest budgets but has built a program around long throws and other set pieces. The club has used AI tools to inform training for two seasons and has catalogued thousands of variations, integrating the information into daily sessions and match-day planning. Lincoln sits third in League One this season, just two points off the leaders, and the long-throw program is cited as part of why they have consistently punched above their weight. The approach has helped the side stay competitive against higher-calibre opposition even as resources remain constrained.
Skubala has long pursued a multifaceted plan that goes beyond long throws. He and his staff have invested in technology to map set pieces across all phases of play, and they continually test variations in training to create decision points for players during games. The 42-year-old former England futsal coach made his senior coaching debut in charge of a struggling Leeds United side at Old Trafford, where a 2-0 lead was held to earn a point in a notable early-season result. His ascent to Lincoln’s manager role near the two-year mark has been rapid, and the club is now two points behind leaders Bradford in League One. The interest from Championship clubs has increased attention on Skubala as a coach who can bridge the gap between resource constraints and tactical innovation.
On Tuesday, Maresca will field a strong team in the Carabao Cup as Chelsea look to balance a deep run in Europe with domestic cup commitments. The club has already claimed a Club World Cup trophy and enjoyed a successful season in the Europa Conference League, reflecting a period of early momentum under Maresca that has made the Cup an opportunity rather than a distraction. The plan contrasts with a broader trend among some EFL teams, which use cup ties to rotate heavily, but Maresca has trusted his squad in the competition to maintain momentum and maximize the chance of silverware.
The size of Lincoln’s operation makes their Cup appearance particularly significant. Skubala says that for a club of Lincoln’s size, competing with a well-funded Premier League side in a major cup tie can bring benefits comparable to developing younger players at the right moment. Early-season scheduling can allow fresher legs to handle the demands of a high-intensity game, and facing a big team provides a platform to showcase their work on set pieces and game management. He notes that Chelsea are in a different tier, with Champions League involvement shaping their fixtures, but argues that cup ties can be a valuable equaliser when approached with the right preparation. The possibility of a notable windfall adds to the incentive for Lincoln, and supporters relish the chance to test themselves against one of English football’s powerhouses.
Skubala also spoke about the evolving landscape of coaching and the value of adaptability. He suggested that while there is sometimes a level bias when owners assess coaches, the quality of coaching in League One has improved significantly, helping sides relegated from higher leagues to compete effectively. He highlighted the broader shift in football toward efficiency, entries into the box, and athleticism, arguing that tactics are no longer defined by a single stylistic template. The long throw is part of a larger toolkit, a reminder that modern football rewards variety and precision just as much as pace and possession.
For Chelsea, the test will be how well Maresca’s squad can handle a barrage of long deliveries and a structured, set-piece plan that has already benefited Lincoln in other competitions. The clash offers a real-world measure of how a Premier League club counters a well-prepared opponent who has invested in data-driven approaches and AI-assisted training. It also presents a narrative about the changing dynamics of coaching, where smaller clubs leverage technology and adaptable tactics to challenge bigger clubs in knockout contexts. The outcome could influence how both clubs view cup competitions going forward, with Lincoln hoping to capitalize on the moment and Chelsea seeking to maintain momentum in their broader campaign.