Chelsea’s grip on the Premier League crown may seem to be slipping as a series of factors seem to have taken their toll on a difficult campaign up until now.
We’ve highlighted five reasons why the Blues haven’t fired this season…
1. Ray Wilkins departure.
He’s been there, done it and inevitably got the t-shirt. Wilkins acted as an internal go-between for Carlo Ancelotti and his players. The calmness of ‘Butch’ has undoubtedly been missed since he was dismissed from his number two role at Stamford Bridge, and it seems to have rubbed off on the pitch.
On 28 November, Chelsea were two points behind leaders Manchester United. Now, 11 games later, they sit in fifth position and trail United by 12. Wilkins left on 30 November.
2. Misfiring players.
Big name players haven’t produced this season with the consistency of last term. Didier Drogba hasn’t scored on more than one occasion in a match since the opening day thrashing of West Brom.
Nicolas Anelka has also struggled this term, contributing six goals to Chelsea’s cause, mainly playing off either flank in Chelsea’s 4-3-3 formation. Florent Malouda often provides support from the other wing, but he has never been prolific in front of goal.
Questions may also be asked of the holding midfielder John Obi Mikel, who at times has come in for some criticism. His sloppy pass led to Andy Carroll poaching a goal to put Newcastle one up back in September when Chelsea could only manage a 1-1 draw.
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3. A different Chelsea?
At one stage earlier this season, the west-Londoners could only manage one win out of eight in the league, picking up six points out of a possible 24. That run included a brace from now Chelsea man Fernando Torres in a 2-0 loss at Anfield; and a rare Nedum Onouha goal as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at home to Sunderland (queue the Zenden dance!).
Looking back at Jose Mourinho’s tenure, or even last season, the performances being put in by this Chelsea side are not of what we have come to expect.
4. Lampard missing.
It cannot be ignored that the Lampard-less midfield has had an effect this season, particularly going forward. Whilst Chelsea boasts the tightest defence in the league, the team selection has often left them tactically stumped as they have fielded the midfield trio of Ramires, Mikel and Essien.
Between the three of them they have amassed four league goals. You could probably count on one hand how many times they have ventured into the opposition’s box – something Lampard has mastered over his career.
5. No money spent & down to the bare bones.
Despite the capture of Fernando Torres and David Luiz for over £70m this January, it may be a case of too little too late, as the team cried out for acquisitions in the summer.
Ramires was recruited for £18m, whilst they added the creative spark of Yossi Benayoun to their squad from Liverpool; unfortunately that spark seems to have burnt out since he pulled on the blue jersey.
It would be harsh to say Roman Abramovich has not put his hand in his pocket, but looking at the spending he has made before, this summer was a drop in the ocean compared to the transfer markets before it.
He only has to look back at previous seasons where it proved Chelsea’s heavy spending brought trophies. The owner is desperate to bring the Champions League trophy to the Bridge; it is the only trophy that has eluded him.
But, factor in the loss of some vastly experienced internationals in the summer and we may see why Chelsea have slipped off the pace this season. Michael Ballack, Deco, Juliano Belletti and Ricardo Carvalho all made way. Players of their calibre can prove to be vital in a championship push, even if they are not first team regulars.
Many would say that the departure of those players was a positive move from Ancelotti, by moving out some of the deadwood they could allow a new Chelsea to develop. Unfortunately, this hasn’t materialised.
They also lost Joe Cole to Liverpool, where as Benayoun swapped Liverpool for London. But both players have been largely ineffective for their new clubs this campaign (although the latter has been troubled with injuries).
Besides the impact of losing experienced players, it has affected the squad numerically as a taxing fixture list has often forced Ancelotti’s hand.
The Italian has been left to use players such as Josh McEachran, Jeffrey Bruma, Patrick Van Aanholt and Daniel Sturridge (now on loan at Bolton) to fill the bench. Whilst these are all good young players, Chelsea have struggled to change games when they needed it most.
Funnily enough, Sturridge has scored three times in as many games at the Reebok while £50m Torres has failed to hit the net in two outings. It’s a funny old game Carlo.
What’s next?
In summary, Chelsea have lacked the firepower and strength to maintain speed with the league leaders Manchester United so far this campaign.
Although it looks as if their crown may be heading away from west London at the moment, they still have a big part to play in the Premier League this season and you may not want to write them off just yet.
With fixtures against Sir Alex’s men home and away, they will also entertain neighbours Spurs and big spending Manchester City to Stamford Bridge.
Champions League qualification must be paramount to Ancelotti’s men but they are still in the current Champions League and FA Cup competitions.
Is 12 points a bridge to far for the Blues? If Fernando Torres and co. fire and the Chelsea of old return, we may yet see a final challenge for the title.
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Written by Ben Willoughby for Clean Sheets All Round – view the original article here
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Agree/disagree with Ben’s points? Let us know what you think in the comment section below
Ancelloti is to be blamed. He sold calvalho and ballack who left a loophole in defence. He also does not want to mix players, Joshua is a good midfielder van aanholt and bruma are good defenders, ancelloti favours anelka while he does nothing, also ferreira. We are shocked that he want to get rid of some important players like malouda and drogba. Anceloti should eliminate favourism
What a load.
“One win in eight gives us six points out of a possible 24”??
“Benayoun’s spark seems to have burnt out since he pulled on the blue jersey” He only played 3 times before a season ending injury!! Have you even watched Chelsea this season??
I don’t get what he was on about there either.
Benayoun was playing pretty well for the short time we had him fit and could probably do with him (for creativity) and Zhirkov (for pace) now.
If I was to point to 3 problems it’s:
1. Too drastic a summer clearout, with minimal buys.
2. Ancelotti’s reluctance to stick to anything new, first sign of it going wrong he reverts to Mourinho’s blueprint.
3. Favouritism. No matter how bad you are, if your a big name, you won’t be dropped. Benching Drogba for 45-70 minutes doesn’t count as brave selection for me.
4. Substitutions. Predictable and mostly ineffective.
5. Michael Emenalo isn’t good enough or brave enough to challenge Ancelotti.
chelsea is really been playing pathetic this season n even torres was a useless buy 4 chelsea n coz of him v need a new formation n drogba n lampard hav been ion pathetic form dis season especially lampard chelsea need 2 make a few changes n try 2 get back ray wilkins
I think Torres is a great buy. A world class forward as well as being of great commercial value. He’s the Drogba replacement and a sign of moving on, which is what we need to do.
Can’t believe people are getting on his back already. Hasn’t even played a full 90, but haven’t we been here before with Ramires, slated, now suddenly Chelsea’s only form midfielder? Patience.
Get Mr Ray wilkins back!! He acts like a coach more than carlo and he has the ability to understand every game as well as talk to players during matches. Carlo should stop confusing himself by listing so many transfer targets, he should try and say what is real and mean what he says.
I agree with ben as well as would like to add my own views about it roman is a good owner but he has no patience at all the desire of winning trophies each season is making him emotional fool n tempting him sack managers after managers n their best helpers like wilkins omg its a massive mistake he need keep faith n be loyal give his players n manager longivity of career n back them in every way not by funds only they need luv assurance n freedom to perform well common roman be true chelsea fan luv ur team
Chelsea is one of the best team in the world, but this attitude of sacking coaches is really affecting the team, am a chelsea fan a very good one, but we have to stay focused. Bench some players if u can, every player can score, whats keeping Mikel Obi from winning a game for the blues. I heard pple talking shit about Torres. Torres is a good player no doubt, even though his yet to score a goal, i blv he we score some winning goals for chelsea….blues for life