Chelsea were the team to beat at the start of the season, well, all teams are literally taking that statement too seriously. Or better, the teams have found the weaknesses in the team and are taking Chelsea to the cleaners.
It is obvious that the Chelsea defense were not performing strongly early this season as many pointed at Branislav Ivanovic. He had it coming.
The Serbian defender has been from his usual self this season and has looked much below the standards he set for himself over the last five seasons.
He’s being exploited by Premier League wingers after Jefferson Montero tore him apart in the opening game of the season.
However, the problem at Chelsea seems to go beyond the flaws of Ivanovic, several other players can improve and surprisingly, most are senior players at the club.
“I cannot say I had 11 players at the same time performing. To be fair, 2-3 of them, individual performance far from good,” Jose Mourinho said after Chelsea’s defeat to Crystal Palace.
I blame myself not to change one of them, because I kept him in the game for 90 minutes.
John Terry was sacrificed at the Ettihad, Nemanja Matic received his reminder against Crystal Palace, but Jose noted that a few others have not yet been notified as the season washed away quickly with Manchester City fully taking advantage of the situation at Stamford Bridge.
The Sky Blues have won four out of four in the Premier League, and done so convincingly.
Chelsea however are still picking themselves up from last season’s success as Champions OF England and seem to be in first gear throughout the league this campaign.
Who are the culprits
Nemanja Matic
Matic is one player that few will count to be on this list, but he is. His protection of the back four has not been good this season.
He’s offered very little at the back, it’s unforgiving. Matic was the pivot of the side last season; he was the foundation on which Jose built his success and the Blue faithful hoped he will continue the form that made him the Premier League’s best defensive midfielder in one season.
Matic came out of tackles with 29% success as compared to same fixture last season when he had a score of 43%. Similarly, his six average clearances last season have dipped to two, as is his two average intercapetions per game last season which has also dropped to 0 this season.
All washed away quickly in pre-season perhaps, and his performances this term may have shocked even him.
He was replaced in the last game and that should be his reminder that Jose is not one to wait while results remain poor.
Possible replacement: Ruben Loftus Cheek/ Jon Mikel Obi… ooops
Cesc Fabregas
Why are we surprised? The Spaniard made the position alongside Matic his own after his arrival from Barcelona last season.
His passing and movement were impeccable as he dictated play from inside Chelsea’s half. He was deployed deep in midfield as that gave him the ability to see the bigger picture.
Chelsea’s achievements last season was based on their early blossomy, which indeed was furnished by Fabregas with sleek passing and control of the ball.
Chelsea have looked pedestrian this season and thanks to the former Arsenal captain, they will continue until he improves.
Possible replacements: Kenedy/ Ramires/ Dare is say, Paul Pogba
Eden Hazard
Seems unjust that the Belgian is on this list. I feel guilty for putting him here, but he has to be. The diminutive magician has lost his wand this season.
Hazard has gone 725 minutes without scoring in the Premier League after his last celebration came against Crystal Palace in the last game of Chelsea’s title winning campaign in 2014/15.
Last season’s PFA Player of The Year has completed 201 passes this season with a pass accuracy of 87%, of which 60% were forward passes according to Squawka.
In the reverse fixture last season where Hazard scored the match winning goal at Stamford Bridge, he completed four take-ons, 91% successful passes and hit three shots on target; in comparison to this season, he hit 26 shots, 84% passing completed and completed 17 take-ons.
Perhaps it’s not fair to have him here based on that stats, but his match winning ability may have risen the expectations on him so high that the 24-year old has to begin firing on all cylinders to get Chelsea back to winning ways.
So is the team’s dependence on him.
Jose praised Hazard last month saying he was in the bracket of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi: “If you are the best in the league, I think it should be a good responsibility to have a similar season than in the previous season.”
Well, apparently the former Lille winger is not there yet.
Possible replacements: New Signing
