One of the big differences between Chelsea this season and last term when they claimed the Premier League title with aplomb is how Antonio Conte’s side suddenly looks far less solid defensively, conceding just three less Premier League goals than they did throughout 2017/18 with seven games remaining.
Perhaps that’s inevitable when the level of experience in Chelsea’s back three has drastically changed; with David Luiz and Gary Cahill replaced by Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger respectively, Cesar Azpilicueta has gone from being the youngest member of the Blues’ defence to the oldest – which perhaps explains why there have been far more individual errors from Chelsea’s back line in recent weeks.
But equally pivotal is the absence of Nemanja Matic, and how Chelsea have failed to adequately replace one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe. Tiemoue Bakayoko has struggled to meet expectations while Danny Drinkwater has been called upon sparingly since his move from Leicester City, leaving Cesc Fabregas as the most viable and used option alongside N’Golo Kante.
That changes the whole dynamic of what was a watertight engine room last season and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, Fabregas providing more creative flair, the 110-cap Spaniard simply isn’t the kind of midfielder who thrives in a two-man setup – especially in big games.
Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, which drew plenty of criticism of the World Cup winner from Blues supporters, provided a key example. During the first half when the midfield battle was tight and congested, he struggled to have any offensive impact, while the 30-year-old became increasingly exposed as Tottenham stretched the game in the second half – leaving Chelsea’s back three without adequate protection.
Indeed, Fabregas registered more tackles and interceptions than created chances or successful dribbles against Tottenham, highlighting how the two-man midfield just doesn’t accommodate his greatest strengths. Compare that to his impact last season, when Conte utilised the former Arsenal man predominantly as an attacking midfielder – bringing him on to change games in that role by giving Chelsea real control of possession.
Of course, it remains to be seen if Conte will still be at Chelsea next season and accordingly whether they’ll stick with the 3-4-3 formation they’ve become synonymous with under the Italian. But if that’s the case, signing another central midfielder will surely be one of the club’s priorities during the summer transfer window. Do you agree Chelsea fans? Let us know by voting below…
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