Chelsea’s Title Credentials Fading: A Stark Decline
Two months ago, Chelsea’s title credentials were the talk of the town. Enzo Maresca’s men were on a strong run from late October to mid-December, remaining unbeaten in eight league matches and securing six wins. This impressive form saw them join Liverpool at the top of the table, igniting hopes among fans and pundits alike. However, since then, Chelsea’s fortunes have taken a dramatic turn for the worse. In the past nine league matches, they have won just two, sliding 17 points off the top spot. This article delves into the main issues plaguing the Blues, as identified by SunSport’s Anthony Chapman.
Cole Palmer: A Star in Decline
Last season, Cole Palmer was a standout, earning the Young Player of the Year award. His tally of 22 goals and 11 assists in 34 league appearances was nothing short of remarkable. Palmer’s ability to drift from the right and weave through defenses was a key factor in his success. This season, his form has been commendable, with 14 goals and six assists so far. However, in the last 11 games, he has struggled, netting just three goals and registering zero assists. His role as the central No.10 appears to be stifling his creativity. Opponents are now closing him down from all angles, making it easier for defenders and midfielders to limit his space. This has led to a disjointed Chelsea performance, and the club may need to reconsider his position, possibly shifting him back to the right flank to give him more time and space to operate.
The Striker Dilemma
Chelsea’s lack of a recognized striker has been a long-standing issue, dating back to last summer’s transfer window. Nicolas Jackson, despite a decent debut season under Pochettino with 14 goals and five assists, has shown signs of being more effective on the wing. This opened the door for Chelsea to sign a genuine striker like Victor Osimhen or Viktor Gyokeres. However, the club decided to stick with Jackson, adding only young Marc Guiu, and two wingers, Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto. Fast forward to the present, Jackson has only nine league goals, and with him and Guiu now injured, Chelsea are left without a traditional striker. The January transfer window, which could have been an opportunity to rectify this, saw no action. This negligence has left Chelsea struggling to break down defenses and score goals, further exacerbating their slide down the table.
Rigid Systems: A Recipe for Stagnation
Some Chelsea fans still have nightmares about the days of Maurizio Sarri, but Maresca’s reluctance to change his system is reminiscent of his predecessor. Despite achieving a third-place finish and winning the Europa League, Sarri’s rigid 4-3-3 system was eventually exposed. Maresca’s insistence on sticking with his 4-2-3-1 formation, which often sees a full-back drift into midfield, has worked well initially but is now being effectively countered by opponents. The system relies heavily on Palmer to dictate the tempo, but as he is being neutralized, the team’s performance has suffered. Additionally, Maresca’s preference for underperforming players like Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke, and his lack of flexibility in team selection, has further compounded the problem. Unless Maresca can adapt and think outside the box, Chelsea are likely to continue their downward spiral.
Goalkeeper Woes
Signing Brighton’s third-choice goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, was controversial from the start. Despite being given the No.1 spot, Sanchez has kept just four clean sheets in 21 outings, conceding 27 goals and making five errors leading to goals. At 27, he is unlikely to improve, and his tendency to hoof the ball upfield under pressure has not helped. Pochettino quickly recognized Sanchez’s limitations and opted for Djordje Petrovic, who was an immediate upgrade. However, Petrovic was bizarrely loaned out to Strasbourg last summer, and now Maresca is starting Filip Jorgensen in the last few matches. While Jorgensen has conceded four goals in his last two starts, he needs a chance to prove himself. Chelsea’s defensive stability remains a concern, and a consistent goalkeeper is crucial for their recovery.
Maresca’s Fate and Club Legends’ Criticism
Enzo Maresca is mirroring his past at Leicester, where the team’s form deteriorated significantly in the second half of the season. The statistics are stark: before Christmas, Chelsea’s win rate was 67%, but it has plummeted to 30% since then. Club legends are not pulling their punches, with former defender Frank Leboeuf criticizing the lack of intensity and fight from players. William Gallas has expressed serious doubts about the team’s quality and their ability to finish in the top four. John Obi Mikel, a two-time title winner, has been the harshest critic, blasting the club’s direction and the new owners. Mikel’s frustrations boiled over when Maresca claimed that a top-four finish was a two-year project. For Mikel, this is an unacceptable mindset for a club like Chelsea, and he believes it has affected the players’ mentality. The club is facing a crisis of confidence, and drastic changes may be necessary to turn things around.
