Chelsea seem to have lost the flair and determination that was a trademark in their game earlier this season. Wednesday’s exit from the Champion’s League against 10-man Paris Saint-Germain was the just the latest example. Now, Chelsea must find a way back to their previous form, and Jose Mourinho needs to use the tools at his disposal to figure out how to turn things around.
Chelsea Must Get Back On Track
There is no immediate sense of panic at Stamford Bridge, as the team still sit on top of the table in the Premier League. As we know, contenders Manchester City are more then capable of slipping up in the title race. That should offer Chelsea some consolation, as they still seem like the team to beat down the stretch. Still, there are several troubling signs that Chelsea must beware of.
Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas are two players who are not playing up to their capabilities. Costa has not scored a Premier League goal since the middle of January, and also earned himself a three-match ban in the interim. This drought is a stark contrast to Costa’s incredible contribution during the first half of the season. Costa also seems to get frustrated, and becomes more prone to displays of naughty behavior when the goals are not flowing. He was lucky to avoid being sent off against PSG, as he was already on a yellow card when he pushed Marquinhos to the ground. Referees will have their eyes fixed on Costa, and any further incidents with this type of behaviour will not be tolerated in the Premier League.
Cesc Fabregas also started the season in flamboyant style. His major contribution in Chelsea has been assists, and he had 15 in the first half of the season. The last assist came in the game against Swansea. He has no assists in his last nine premier league games. Fabregas seems exhausted and heavy, which is not so strange, due to the fact that Fabregas has played nearly every match under Mourinho this season. The Spaniards move to Chelsea has been, without a doubt, a success. However, right now, Fabregas looks more like the fringe player he was at Barcelona.
The recurring issue in Mourinho’s Chelsea, may also be the key to their success. He runs a small squad with the 12-15 players best suited to play, given as much time on the pitch as possible. This creates a starting eleven that can play very well together, and at their best Chelsea look like a team that is so well organized and structured, they look almost unbeatable. At the same time, the negative factor is the fatigue that can set in. The fatigue has been apparent in many of Chelsea’s recent matches. However, the benefits of staying with a close knit of group players can be far greater than the risks.
With 10 games left in their season, Chelsea need to find their feet again, and their exit from the Champions League might be beneficial for their Premier League campaign. Even though some of their players may seem tired, they are such a compact side that they will remain very tough to beat.
