We’ve reached the midway level of the Premier League season, and it’s been a usually fascinating and unpredictable one for Chelsea and their followers.
There have been quite a lot of opinions about how the Blues would get on this season, however even probably the most optimistic of pundits didn’t have them doing so nicely that they’d the possibility to prime the desk at Christmas.
Sadly Enzo Maresca’s males blinked within the face of such lofty aspirations and drew at struggling Everton. Then within the three video games since they’ve bought worse slightly than recovering their type – a defeat to Fulham, a defeat to Ipswich, then a draw with Crystal Palace to make it 4 with no win.
They’re nonetheless clinging on to a spot within the prime 4, however any speak of title aspirations are lengthy gone. Liverpool, who may have been overtaken on that fateful evening at Goodison Park, at the moment are a full 8 factors and a sport in hand clear.
Nonetheless, a title race was by no means life like. Maresca stated it himself many instances. So what are Chelsea’s actual goals this season? A have a look at odds – and you may learn extra right here – present that the Blues are nonetheless closely favoured to make the Champions League locations. After all they’re helped by the truth that there are more likely to be 5 groups from the Premier League who qualify this 12 months.
We’d agree with the bookies on that – we’ve seen sufficient from this crew to suppose they’ll get again into gear and begin profitable once more. However there are additionally causes to be nervous.
Chelsea haven’t simply had some unfortunate outcomes, they’ve been measurably worse on this poor run, going by the stats. Dropping Wesley Fofana to damage has harm them each defensively and in with the ability to play larger up the pitch. Romeo Lavia’s damage points haven’t helped hold the midfield contemporary both.
Then there’s the competitors – Nottingham Forest appear like the true deal. They’re not only a harmful crew to play, they’re a real menace to make the highest 4 now. The identical goes for Newcastle, who abruptly look an ideal crew once more now Sandro Tonali is again of their midfield. Bournemouth have misplaced a few key gamers to damage this week, however they’re ok to trigger anybody hassle – as we’ll discover out in our subsequent Premier League sport.
So whereas the highest 4 (and even 5) ought to nonetheless be our purpose – the previous couple of weeks present that nothing will be taken without any consideration.
