Languishing in 15th place Chelsea have looked a pale shadow of the side who romped to last season’s Barclays Premier League title. Ahead of their early Saturday match with Liverpool, tactics expert Adrian Clarke takes a closer look at why they’re struggling.
Jose Mourinho’s squad looks just as strong as last season and he is deploying the same formation and tactical approach. So why have Chelsea’s performances been so inferior this term?
In base terms, the players are not running for one another with quite the same intensity.
Tracking data suggests they are covering almost as much ground as during their title-winning campaign, but to the naked eye their energy levels are not quite the same, and the stats back this up.
During the first 10 matches only once have the champions exceeded the average number of sprints they made per match in the corresponding spell last season. They have topped the 500 mark on just one occasion.
It is unfair to compare those numbers with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who made an incredible 614 sprints recently at White Hart Lane, because they do not have the same pressing style as the Reds.
However, it is not unreasonable to suggest the Blues have not closed opponents down with the same bite, enthusiasm or collective discipline as they did in 2014/15.
Working a fraction less hard without the ball, they are conceding more fouls, chances, and most importantly of all, goals.
In possession the fluency and quality of their play has also dropped. At the Boleyn Ground last weekend Chelsea’s passing and movement lacked sharpness, and that has been a familiar story.
With fewer dynamic forward runs being made on and off the ball, the Blues have found it tougher to stretch well-organised opponents. If the man in possession does not have options or commit defenders, attacks will slow down, and that is what we have seen.
Fine margins can make a huge difference at the highest level. It only takes a small dip in focus or application for a ripple effect to occur. To revive their form, Chelsea’s players must regain a willingness to push themselves to the limit.
They had that “edge” last year, but of late it has looked blunted.
Unexpected fragility
Partly a by-product of the mindset detailed above, the defending of crosses has been a big problem for Chelsea.
Ten of the 19 league goals they have let in have stemmed from balls whipped into the penalty area from wide. No team in the top flight have conceded more headed goals than Chelsea’s six, which is the same number that was scored against them in the whole of last season.
Both full-backs have been out of sorts. Branislav Ivanovic was targeted in the early weeks, with five goals in as many matches originating from crosses delivered down his side.
Although less vulnerable in one-on-one situations, left-back Cesar Azpilicueta’s covering at the far post has also been below par. His positioning has been questionable.
A constantly changing back five has not helped. Mourinho selected the same goalkeeper and back four (Thibaut Courtois, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta, John Terry and Gary Cahill) for the first eight matches last season, with a suspension enforcing his first change.
In 2015/16, Chelsea have fielded eight different back fives in 10 BPL contests. No one combination has featured more than twice, and Mourinho’s four regular defenders from the title-winning campaign have lined up together just three times.
Tinkering regularly with defensive personnel can be unsettling. When you consider how many changes have occurred, it is perhaps less of a surprise the rearguard has lacked its usual compactness.
It is also interesting to note that Terry was on the pitch for just two of the six headers that have been conceded. The Blues’ captain’s positioning and organisational skills remain valuable to Chelsea.
Falling stars
Ten matches in and last season’s star individuals are still struggling to replicate the standards they set en route to the 2014/15 title.
Cesc Fabregas is a good example. After 10 BPL matches the Spain playmaker had laid on nine assists last season. This season, he has one.
From a defensive perspective his partnership with Nemanja Matic has not looked as solid either. Both have been guilty of letting their runners go at key junctures, with rivals experiencing far more joy driving through central areas.
Last season’s Barclays Footballer of the Year, Eden Hazard, is another who has not hit top gear.
Statistically, the Belgian has created more chances, one every 28 minutes (up from 34 minutes last term) but a spark has been missing from his play.
Driving into the penalty area less frequently, his goal threat has diminished.
Chelsea’s disappointing form cannot be attributed to any one sole factor, but the key issue, as I see it, is a downturn in drive. On and off the ball the Blues have been 5% short compared with last term. Once that has remedied they are sure to climb the table.
Saturday’s match with Liverpool is an ideal opportunity for them to rediscover the tempo that took them so far last season.
Against a team who will press them fervently, playing the match at a high pace, it is imperative the Blues are switched on and ready to match their opponents’ intensity. It may bring the best out of them.
From a tactical perspective it is important that Chelsea’s engine-room pairing marshal Liverpool’s floating midfielders, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana, closely. They will constantly seek to find space between the lines.
Out wide, they must also work harder at stopping crosses being sent into the box. In the shape of Divock Origi, or if he is fit, Christian Benteke, Liverpool possess an aerial threat.
Going forward, Willian will be a key man. He has been the pick of Chelsea’s attackers this season, posing a constant threat with his running power and the Brazilian’s pinpoint set-pieces will also be a concern for Klopp.
With both managers eyeing a victory that could kickstart their respective league campaigns, this should be one of the most fiercely contested encounters of the season so far.
In attack Diego Costa has struggled to hit the back of the net. In fairness to the forward, the service into him has not been as early or accurate as it was in 2014/15 (meaning he has had fewer sights of goal) but even so, his all-round play has been less menacing.
Has he subconsciously become complacent? With no serious competition for his starting berth it is something to consider.
source:premierleague.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 