Chelsea’s recent heavy defeat against West Ham has resurfaced old issues, but the Blues must exercise patience and resilience. Following their promising 1-1 draw with Liverpool on the Premier League’s opening day, Chelsea’s progress took a backward step with a disheartening 1-3 loss to West Ham.
Chelsea need to stay calm
Mauricio Pochettino, in his early days as Chelsea’s head coach, faced his first defeat, which has left the Blues with more uncertainties than answers. Despite a whopping £346 million spent this summer alone, the future of Chelsea remains shrouded in question marks. As the echoes of past problems resurface, one wonders where the Blues stand after these initial two games.
Cohesion Concerns
Amid a tumultuous summer that brought significant changes, Chelsea’s rough start was almost expected. Encouraging signs were apparent in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool, particularly in the performance of Enzo Fernandez. However, the cohesion that seemed promising vanished when Fernandez faltered against West Ham. Despite Raheem Sterling’s brilliance, defensive breakdowns resulted in three goals. In the attacking front, Nicolas Jackson appeared isolated.
The Blues is lacking cohesion
Pochettino’s squad demonstrated control of the ball and accurate passing but lacked the final touch. The integration of Moises Caicedo, a £115 million acquisition from Brighton, adds to the period of adjustment that Chelsea needs.
Persistent Injury Woes
It’s been a span of ten months since Graham Potter voiced concerns about Chelsea’s fitness, yet little has changed, or perhaps even worsened. The injury roster encompasses players like Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Armando Broja, Marcus Bettinelli, and the most recent addition, Carney Chukwuemeka.
Chelsea always struggles with injury cases
The scale of eight injuries on a crisis level presents Pochettino and his fitness coaches with a formidable challenge.
Enhancing Offensive Prowess
Chelsea’s struggles in creating opportunities and converting goals date back to the previous season. A 15th place in terms of goals scored during the 2022-2023 Premier League season underscores their offensive shortcomings. The 1-3 defeat to West Ham acted as an awakening for Pochettino. The Blues showcased their attacking potential against Liverpool, exploiting midfield gaps.
Pochettino needs to work harder to improve Chelsea’s attacking
However, this creative spark dimmed against the defensive-minded West Ham. Despite dominating ball possession, Chelsea struggled to find their target in the second half. While they generated an expected goal count of 2.49 from 17 attempts, including Fernandez’s missed penalty, West Ham managed only 1.8.
Cultivating a Winning Mindset
Chelsea’s triumphs have been scarce, with only one victory in their last 14 Premier League matches (five draws, eight losses). Even with remnants from the prior season, defeat seems commonplace. Pochettino’s mission is to instill a victorious mentality.
They need to bring back their winning mindset
Chelsea’s fixture schedule offers a favorable period ahead. Opponents like Luton Town, Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth stand as relegation contenders. Though Aston Villa poses a challenge, Fulham and Burnley represent mid-range teams. Challenges intensified by the end of October, prompting Pochettino to capitalize on the present phase to build confidence and accumulate points.
Guard Against Hasty Concerns
It’s premature for Chelsea fans and management to embrace concern as they did in the past season. Reviving underperforming teams is Pochettino’s forte, but with numerous fresh faces, challenges are inevitable. Amid the series of injuries, Chelsea’s transfer plans remain in motion. The days left offer a window for acquisitions and departures.
The board needs to be patient
Todd Boehly’s patience is required, and Pochettino himself comprehends that immediate results are unlikely. The return of key players from injuries could potentially transform Chelsea into an entirely different entity.