After the first gameweek of the Premier League season back in August, Manchester United comically tweeted that they’re “Top of the league.” Now in January, as Mourinho’s men find themselves vying for second place behind the mercurial Manchester City, the time for analysis and assertions based on league standings has come. Polary positioned as the aforementioned gameweek concluded, Chelsea now sit two points off United in third place and have a game in hand. It’s been a relatively lacklustre campaign for Antonio Conte’s men thus far with an equal share of undertoning positives and negatives.
The season started on a sour note with a defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield. Out of 21 Premier League games, two thirds (14) have been won – with notable victories away at Wembley and at home to United. Points were shared in a 1-1 draw at Anfield and two scoreless games vs Arsenal at home and at Goodison Park. Concerningly, Chelsea have lost four games – the second most of any top six side. Two defeats at the hands of inferior opposition in West Ham and Crystal Palace, another was a capitulation on the opening day at home vs Burnley, and in the fourth, Chelsea were simply outclassed by Guardiola’s high-flyers.
Cup competitions are looking more promising this season as a semi-final vs Arsenal in the Capital One Cup beckons. The Blues did well to progress from their Champions League group but unfortunately placed second. A clash against Barcelona in February awaits in result.
As a whole, there have been victories worthy of festivities and rather damning defeats. Areas of achievement will be credited and the counterparting underwhelming motifs will be discussed later on.
Player rankings (10+ starts)
Thibaut Courtois – 8.5
The towering Belgian has not put a foot wrong this season. He is near the top competitors for the PL Golden Glove with 11 clean sheets and is yet to make a single goalkeeping error all season – hence the ranking. Perhaps the sole factors keeping him away from a perfect 10 are the lack of match-winning saves (largely down to a absence of need to many) and his distribution. But Chelsea’s system does not call for ter Stegen-like abilities neither.
Gary Cahill – 6
After a rather disastrous start to his campaign, Chelsea’s captain has improved. He is still prone to questionably wander forward where his influence is secondary to Azpilicueta and Rudiger. Cahill is simply not as good on the ball. In defence, Cahill is oft scapegoated but he does tend to entertain the masses with a careless tackle or rudimentary error. He isn’t the most versatile, as his one game as a RCB was simply horrific, but could hold his own as the central CB when asked. In his new captaining duties, Cahill has shown less ambition, leadership, and drive than preferred but Chelsea fans have been spoilt over the years by John Terry. As a whole, he is not as bad as he is made out ot be.
David Luiz – 6
Luiz had a superb 2016/17 season which was a very pleasant surprise. His form this year however is far less exciting. Luiz hasn’t done much wrong per se, but his performances are drawing the same criticisms and uncertainties that would cloud the man during his first spell at the club. That being said, he has chipped in with several goals and his versatility is greatly valued.
César Azpilicueta – 9
The Spaniard has had a stellar start to his season. An ever present and vital cog in the system, ‘Dave’ has risen his attacking game to a new level. Having already recorded six PL assists – one more than last season and on par with his best ever tally – the Spaniard also scored the winner against Watford. Defensively he has been shrewd as always but has been prone to an error or two as some players have left him for dead recently. But outside rarities in Mr. Consistent’s game always stand out more than the norm.
Antonio Rüdiger – 7
One of several new arrivals in the Chelsea ranks, Rüdiger has seemed to ease into the system. His performances have been solid and his contribution on both sides of the pitch notable. There is little to criticise but game time has been hard to comeby for Rüdiger. Despite being capable of playing either wide CB position, Conte sees Rüdiger as a backup for Azpilicueta and Cahill – to many of the fans’ dismay. The German is already loved for his athleticism, his determined and gritty attitude, and for #huste.
Andreas Christensen – 9
The Dane has been superb. Finally incorporated into the first team squad after his two-year loan spell, Christensen settled into the team immediately. Playing at the heart of Chelsea’s back line, Christensen’s daring passing and immaculate precision has been on display all season. For a youngster to succeed at Chelsea is rather rare and Andreas could be the first to impose himself this early since teammate Eden Hazard. He has completed 90 minutes vs each of the top six without err, is yet to make a bad foul or even pick up a yellow card, and has hit the post or had his goal disallowed on occasion. A star is on the rise.
Marcos Alonso – 6.5
Perhaps a harsh ranking as Macros Alonso has won Chelsea several points this season with his goals, but there is still something rather underwhelming about his game. He is the sole first-team left back at the club and fatigue has definitely crept into his game. But even when he is fully fit, the left flank is still a glaring weakness for Chelsea. Conte’s system heavily relies on its wingbacks in both attack and defence but the fact that Alonso’s biggest contributions come from set-pieces is perfectly telling in within itself.
Victor Moses – 6
It’s been a season interrupted with injuries for the Nigerian. He dazzled last season in what was his breakthrough year, thus 2017/18 is more about developing consistency than anything for Moses. He has played well but is yet to shine.
Davide Zappacosta – 5
Another new signing at Stamford Bridge and one from Conte’s beloved Italy. Reserved to a rotation role since signing on deadline day, Zappacosta has filled in aptly when called upon. His link-up play blows hot and cold. His off-the-ball movement and intelligence in attacking space is rather praiseworthy but could definitely see improvement. As a whole, Zappacosta is settling in well but clearly still adapting to English football. Worryingly, he seems like another Chelsea signing that will need to be replaced before his initial contract runs out. Shamefully too, as the Pokémon-like name of Zappacosta is fun to say.
N’Golo Kanté – 8.5
Kanté has been, well, Kanté. He has shown his level of seasons past and remains as crucial and loveable as ever. His game is slowly involving into something else, too. His dribbling looks better than last term and the passing has improved as well. The only criticism is his tendency to opt for recycling possession when there are tastier options between the lines. Conte has been tweaking the the Frenchman’s role, too. In the 1-2 win vs Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano, Kanté seemed an unbearable right-winger-midfielder-hybrid. He’s since been more reserved, despite being the only one looking likely to create anything in disappointing performances like the 1-0 loss to West Ham.
Cesc Fabregas – 7
The Spaniard’s season is surely divisive. He continues to be as creative as ever but unfortunately is yet to recreate the partnership he had with Diego Costa with newboy Morata. When Conte deploys a 352, Cesc plays his best football. When he plays without the protection of a midfield double, the defensive frailties resurface. Cesc has not had a bad season nor a good one, his impact and form solely depend on the tactical set up.
Tiémoué Bakayoko – 4
Of all the newcomers to don Chelsea blue this year, Bakayoko has been the least impressive. The Frenchman looks sloppy and commits far too many fouls for any fan’s liking. His surging runs, both on and off the ball, come far and few between, but the potential is undeniably there. He is still only 23 years of age and may need his time to properly adjust. It’s worth noting that of all the players to be plucked away from Monaco last summer, only Mbappé has delivered – and he is a superstar.
Willian – 7.5
Willian, in all fairness, is having an alright season but with occasional golden moments and performances. His decision making still leaves much to be desired but that has been the story of his Chelsea career. He’s pitched in with goals but the fact that this could be his finest season at Stamford Bridge says it all really.
Pedro – 7
The same could be said for Pedro. He has played well when called upon, but the first-choice system unfortunately has no place for the Spaniard. He has remained professional and impactful despite his secondary role and is probably still the best finisher at the club.
Eden Hazard – 8
It’s difficult to accurately classify Hazard’s season. The Belgian missed the start of the season to a broken ankle and did not make his first start until the 30th of September vs Man City, where he still looked like the best Chelsea player on the pitch. He has since dazzled – mostly. Hazard scored braces on occasion and single-handedly destabilised defences in his free roaming role behind the striker. Still there have been games where he has looked far less interested and Chelsea suffered in result. In fairness, he does have multiple markers on him almost every game and Chelsea shouldn’t have to over rely on him to begin with. He remains Chelsea’s best player but is not having his best season.
Alvaro Morata – 7
Chelsea’s new record signing is certainly having a better start to his career than the previous number 9’s. He has scored 12 goals in all competitions (10 in the PL) and has gotten four assists. His link up play is far superior to Diego Costa’s already. However, is is rather worrying that most of his goals come as headers considering how many chances he misses with his feet. In terms of physicality, he definitely needs to learn to stay on his feet more. But as a whole, he is having a good debut season.
A word on the coach and the team as a whole
If Antonio Conte was to be ranked out of 10 as his players oft are, a 7 would probably be spot on. No one expected the Italian to repeat last season’s feat, but he hasn’t disappointed many either. Chelsea have won 14 games in the PL so far, second only to Man City. Conte has done a good job with rotating his squad as well. Most clubs exited the busy December schedule with an injury or two but Chelsea’s squad is healthy, despite being relatively small in numbers. Together with Tottenham, Chelsea were handed the toughest CL group in comparison to their fellow English clubs. Conte put on a good showing of what’s to come, earning very complimentary words from Diego Simeone – “We had never faced a team with the intensity of Chelsea.”
But in terms of how the team is playing, it’s not very rosy. Conte still deploys last season’s 343 when needed, but has clearly tried to switch over to his preferred 352 formation. Defensively, the team remains as compact and astute as one would expect. The problems lie in the middle and final thirds. Conte is known for his meticulous coaching. He instills positional rigidity in training and has his players always knowing where to be. That is perhaps Chelsea’s biggest downfall this year.
Chelsea dropped points most often when playing against deep blocks. In the 1-0 loss to West Ham, all 11 players in claret and blue spent the day in the penalty box. And the 0-0 draw with Everton was, well, against Sam Allardyce. In both games, Chelsea looked rather clueless in attack. There were plenty of crosses into the box, sure, but nothing with substance. The problem stems from earlier on.
Conte likes having his whole defensive line contribute to build up play and always has his wide CBs push forward. Essentially, he wants to lock the opposition in an arch, if you will. The wingbacks provide the width and the central CB the depth. This allows for a ‘soup’ of sorts in the centre, where the midfielders and attacking duo try breaking teams down. It’s a fine strategy, but not the ideal one vs narrow defences.
When teams sit off, the wide CBs will be presented with opportunities to step forward into the empty space regardless, but Christensen is never trusted to do as the central CB. It is a strategy worth trying, however. Christensen is one of most composed men in possession at the club and has a talent for playing those risky passes. In games vs deep blocks, he should be pushed forward into a CDM role. Basically, he should be Beckenbauer. The wide CBs will stay back to provide cover and Christensen’s central presence will allow the midfielders a bit more freedom in attack. Kanté won’t need to reserve himself to sole defensive duties anymore and Chelsea’s ball circulation will surely improve as well.
Certainly nothing is as easy at is sounds and Christensen is far off being Franz’s reincarnation, but Chelsea do tend to be rather stale in possession. Cesc cannot dictate the play of every game, and Conte’s doesn’t really employ a tactic that would make him do so. Overloading and occupying the channels proved to be the winning strategy last year, but now there is quite literally a gaping hole in the centre.
There are other areas for improvements, too. Chelsea players are rather bad at finishing. So one can hope that shooting drills are underway at Cobham. The winbacks aren’t playing their best football, either. Alonso struggles to be commanding of the whole left flank as does Moses. Their crossing is far from ideal and it’s gotten to the point that Moses has passed up that responsibility to Azpilicueta. Both he and Alonso tend to get into the opposition’s box. Personally, I’m all for that attacking intent. But considering that Cahill is left to defend the vacated space behind Alonso, anxiety befriends every Chelsea fan. Paradoxically, Chelsea rarely score from these crosses. From corners, the players play it short and work the ball in from wide areas. But when a ball is crossed in, a shot on target or a goal is almost guaranteed.
Lastly, creativity seems amiss. Cesc and Hazard are usually the sole creators, the rest comes from rehearsed moves and plays. Managers have learnt to expect these and set up accordingly. The problem boils down to personnel. Before Morata joined there were even fewer players capable of producing the magic and, considering Conte’s penchant for players in Giaccherini and Vidal’s vein, that may not change.
There is no right way to play football. Conte’s Catenaccio ways certainly deliver but they leave much to be desired. Big clubs will always have the ball in possession far more than the minnows they face. Conte needs to incorporate possession into his methods, especially for those type of games, or at least target the personnel that can win games through their own design.
The season as a whole is certainly not a crisis, despite how much the English media loves to push that narrative. Second place remains the first realistic goal and in cup competitions the aim is the same as it was in the summer: to win.
Transfers and the like
There are several areas that need to see new faces at Chelsea Football Club. A back-up is a must. Conte clearly doesn’t trust Michy Batshuayi and cannot switch up the whole system to have Hazard playing as a CF everytime Morata misses a game. There are many names linked with Chelsea, as there always are, but the club needs to target someone that can score, fit the bill, and who wouldn’t mind having a secondary role. Ideally, someone a tad older than the exciting headline-grabbing kids.
A cover for left wingback is the a must as well. Alonso is the only player that can play the position. One injury to him and, well, who knows? Chelsea have been linked with Alex Sandro for much of this season and rumours suggest that story could bear fruit. Hopefully it will. Otherwise, an upgrade on Alonso may not be so easy to find. It may be worth it to target someone with potential and have the two compete for a starting spot.
For January, those are the two signings that must be completed. It’s never wise to perform a squad overhaul midyear, so the long term targets like a playmaking midfielder and replacements for Willian and Pedro should be held off for now.
The names I’d personally consider are:
- Alex Sandro
- Ciro Immobile
- Aubameyang (depending on how his situation develops)
- Grimaldo
- Riyad Mahrez
- Jamie Vardy
- Mauro Icardi (only if Hazard will then adopt Cesc’s role)
- Alexis Sanchez
- Raffael
- Timo Werner
Tacticomotion 