How and where they can improve, backing the manager and more
With Chelsea making a bright start to the season despite their recent 2-1 loss to Liverpool, it is looking like Maresca is handling the hot seat pretty well. It is clear to see that Chelsea have instantly improved with his appointment and their recent signings, however they have a long way to go before they can challenge for the league title again.
Goal Threat
One area that Chelsea have been lacking in since Diego Costa is a prolific goalscorer. Jackson had a decent last season but he is still too inconsistent and erratic in front of goal. The bottom line is, Chelsea are crying out for someone up top to score 20+ goals a season and right now it does not look like Jackson is that man. Nkunku is a contender if he can stay fit but he is not that classic number 9 that they need.
In January or the summer, Chelsea need to have a look at Gyokeres, Sesko and potentially even go back in for Victor Osimhen (who scored an outrageous bicycle kick this weekend by the way). All three are aerial threats who can offer more than just being a man in the the box. They can all carry the ball and progress play, beat their man and work shooting opportunities even if they don't have much space. Gyokeres would likely be the best option, at least in my opinion, because he is just ridiculously fast and sensational with both feet. A freak of nature.
The obvious answer to the question of goal threat would be Cole Palmer, but if they got themselves a prolific striker to partner him then they would score double the amount of goals they did last season.
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeping has been a HUGE issue for Chelsea since Courtois' departure in 2018. They do have wonderkid Mike Penders arriving next summer along with Gabriel Slonina returning from his loan at Barnsley (where he has been fantastic) but both are young and inexperienced, so they could turn to the transfer market to solve their woes. Robert Sanchez is simply terrible and a liability, they cannot move forward with a goalkeeper that has fans and players alike cringing every time he receives the ball and that is why I believe they should look to Las Palmas stopper Alvaro Valles.
Valles was reportedly on Chelsea's shortlist last season but they opted for Filip Jorgensen instead, who is a few years younger and still decent. However Valles in my opinion is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and is available for around £15m. Bento is another player that would have suited Chelsea very well but Al Nassr snapped him up. Valles is unbelievably comfortable on the ball, probably the best ball-playing keeper in the world behind Ederson. He also possesses very good shot-stopping ability.
It may sound like a stupid idea to buy yet another goalkeeper but it could be necessary to progress the team forward and become a top Premier League side again.
Set Pieces
Despite appointing top set piece coach Bernardo Cueva, it seems like it's same old Chelsea when it comes to set pieces. Chelsea have conceded 3 league goals from set pieces this season and have scored 2. For context, Arsenal and Manchester City have scored 3 from set pieces, Tottenham and Manchester United have scored 2 and Liverpool have scored 1. Chelses rank 5th for most set piece goals conceded while Liverpool rank 19th with 0, Manchester City 14th, Tottenham 7th, Manchester united 6th and Arsenal 4th. Chelsea ranked 10th for most set piece goals scored and 9th for most conceded. Essentially, Chelsea aren't great from set pieces.
There are clear set piece routines for certain teams, like we saw a short corner approach against Liverpool, with free kicks generally going to the far post. It is easy to say that Cueva's appointment has been a failure but it is important to note that Chelsea are a notoriously short team, having no real aerial threat from set pieces hence their inability to defend them properly. We do see Cueva being heavily involved on the touchline too, with him barking orders at the players when they have an important set piece. I am sure that we will see an improvement as we move further into the season, but they have been poor so far. Again, an aerial threat like Osimhen, Gyokeres or Sesko could really help them from set pieces.
It has been clear that Cueva has had influence on the pitch, with their first goal against Wolves coming from Nicolas Jackson being told to linger at the back post. Brentford had a P90 xG of .46 from set pieces last season and a P90 xG conceded from set pieces of .22, showing how effective Cueva was for Brentford in setting them up from set pieces.
Conclusion
Overall, Chelsea are definitely a force to be reckoned with this season and it is entirely possible that they finish in the top 4. They still need to iron some issues out but they could be challenging for the title in 2 or 3 years time should they sort these problems out. A top goalkeeper and striker would do them absolute wonders
Comments