Newly appointed Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is heading straight to the point with his new role at Stamford Bridge, going all out with techniques like the Gacon Test or Beep Test in football, find out more about this test below and its meaning
Despite record-breaking transfer spendings across the past transfer windows, Chelsea players had a disastrous season 2022/23 season, finishing at 12th place.
What is the Gacon Test or Beep Test in football, its meaning and rules explained that Mauricio Pochettino is using at Chelsea
🚨 Chelsea did Mauricio Pochettino's famed Gacon test, and Ben Chilwell, who ran for his county at school, was one of the top performers. 🥇#CFC
(@NizaarKinsella) pic.twitter.com/70AhaYFtMF
— Pochettiniac (@Pochettiniac) July 10, 2023
Ben Chilwell was one of the top performers during Mauricio Pochettino's Gacon test for the #Chelsea squad.
– @NizaarKinsella pic.twitter.com/ObTeMArKsz
— At The Bridge Pod ⭐️⭐️ (@AtTheBridgePod) July 10, 2023
Pochettino is eager to see his player work hard, and perform their best with some intense and gruelling training methods.
The Gacon Test/Beep Test
The infamous Gacon Test also called Beep Test, was originally created by Professor Georges Caon back in 1994. Georges Caon was a fitness expert and manager of the French National Team for middle-distance runners. Caon was in charge of the national team from 1984-1994 and later joined a top-tier French football club called Marseille as their fitness trainer.
The Gaco test is an intermittent way of analysing a player’s acceleration while running using 45 seconds of running, and 15 seconds rest, while gradually increasing the running distance. Football managers who prefer to see their teams press high up the pitch usually use this gruelling exercise.
Inna typical Gacon test, players first line up at a starting point. The players then run 125 metres within 45 seconds, following which they get a 15 second rest. They then repeat the same set in the opposite direction, back to the starting point. However, the distance is increased this time by 6.25m, which comes to a total distance of 131.25m.
The distance is increased by 6.25m for every set while the running and rest times remain the same. This cycle continues until the players are unable to complete the set distance within 45 seconds.
Mauricio Pochettino looking to revitalize things at Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino is currently looking to revitalize the dressing room morale and performances on the pitch. Despite spending over $700m on transfer spendings in Todd Boehly’s first season as co-owner, the Blues managed only a disappointing 12th finish in the Premier League.
As such, the Argentine manager is looking to bring about some changes by putting his players under some gruelling training sessions like the Gacon test. Notably, most of the squad members agree with his tactics and they have also embraced his work ethics. The players acknowledge the fact that they were well behind the fitness levels required during the last season. In context, Chelsea had the highest number of injuries in the Premier League last season with 46 different injuries.
Amongst the players, Chelsea’s left-back Ben Chilwell is reportedly the best performer in Pochettino’s Gacon test. This is good news for the Argentine tactician as Pochettino’s game plans most often heavily depend on the fullbacks. The Argentine tactician prefers high-pressing football, which in turn requires extreme levels of physical exertion. As such, he is relying on training methods like the Gacon test to achieve this. As things stand, the former Spurs boss has his plans set for yet another physically challenging week before eventually switching focus from fitness to tactics.
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