Chelsea’s central defenders are this team’s nightmare. The defensive line of Gusto, Acheampong, Trevor Chalobah and Jorrel Hato, which played against Leeds in the second half, did not prove to be good enough. Cucurella got injured and was replaced at half-time by Jorrel Hato, who performed well in his natural position.
The first time Leeds United applied pressure on Chelsea’s centre-backs, the defence capitulated. After mistakes by Chalobah and then Josh Acheampong, Chelsea conceded two goals, and everything they had done up to that point in the match collapsed. Leeds had Okafor on the bench, who immediately contributed offensively to his team.
Leeds began attacking, and on both occasions when Chelsea’s centre-backs were put under pressure, they conceded twice.
Against Napoli, Chelsea were leading but conceded two goals. An excellent performance in open play by João Pedro was crowned with another Chelsea comeback; however, in stoppage time, Napoli missed two big chances. Napoli failed to score, and Chelsea avoided two additional playoff matches. It was very close to Napoli getting back into the game.
Against West Ham United, Chelsea conceded two goals in the first half. West Ham then completely dropped back and played only defensively. Chelsea managed to return to the match. West Ham again applied pressure at 2–2 and from a huge chance, just a few meters out, hit the crossbar.
Chelsea were fortunate and later scored the winner against West Ham United.
Chelsea’s defensive problem is serious. Whenever the opposing team applies pressure to Chelsea’s defence, it is either a goal, a big chance, or Robert Sánchez saving the team. There is no collective defensive stability; panic and insecurity are constantly present. The club has been playing significantly worse since Reece James has been absent.
A back line of Hato, Gusto, Acheampong and Chalobah will not bring anything good and is not sufficient for the English Premier League. As a top-class defender, Chelsea has Wesley Fofana. Chalobah is the weakest solution at left centre-back, while Sarr, who returned from a loan at Strasbourg, where he was coached by Rosenior, could be a solution for Chelsea.
The problem arises when opposing attackers engage in direct duels with Chelsea’s defenders. They are taken out of the game, the defence collapses, Chelsea concedes, and major problems begin for the Blues.
On paper, Acheampong and Chalobah do not look good when attacked directly by opponents. They are very easy to break down in a one-to-one situation. Against Leeds, Acheampong made one of the biggest defensive mistakes in several seasons in English professional football when he shielded the ball, waiting for Sánchez to receive it. His level is not sufficient to be a regular starter in the Premier League.
Madmaodou Sarr will define everything for Chelsea this season:
Mamadou Sarr could finally be the solution for stability at centre-back. However, if he is not good enough, Chelsea will be in a very difficult situation ahead of the crucial part of the season.
Other centre-backs:
- Tosin
- Badiashile
- Trevor Chalobah
- Fofana
Chelsea were fortunate against West Ham and Napoli. They conceded many goals, and defensively, the team is not good. With greater pressure from opponents, Chelsea concedes goals. As a rule, increased pressure on their back line results in the ball ending up in their net. If the defenders do not raise their level, Chelsea will have a poor season. The team must defend better. They need to be better organised and get security in defence.
Trevor Chalobah is a player who does not have enough quality for the role he is playing. A few years ago, it would have been impossible to imagine him as a starter at Chelsea in the Premier League. If Tosin and Badiashile are not at a sufficient level to play for Chelsea this season and to perform their duties properly, then the real question is: what are they doing at the club?
What is the role of players in a team if they do not bring any quality? It is time for Tosin, who has recovered, and Badiashile to deliver high-quality performances for their club.
Mamadou Sarr is an interesting case. He is a player Chelsea signed in the summer, was part of the squad at the Club World Cup, and was then sent on loan to Strasbourg, where he was coached by the current Chelsea manager, Liam Rosenior. Rosenior has spoken in recent weeks about Sarr, whom he personally decided to bring from France.
Amorim’s Model as a option
Amorim’s model of rotating defenders is something Liam Rosenior must implement in the Premier League. He needs to replace the current centre-backs with the best available options. Chalobah and Acheampong can be replaced by the more solid Badiashile, Sarr and Fofana. In that way, Chelsea must field their strongest centre-backs.
Full-back support is also very important, and the performances of Malo Gusto have been anything but good and adequate. He is not a sufficient replacement for Reece James, especially defensively.
Malo Gusto arrived at Chelsea three years ago from Lyon and has not progressed since. He was an important rotational player under Enzo Maresca and remains so in Rosenior’s team today. Compared to Recce James, he does not look good.
Chelsea should have the best central defender in their position at every moment to improve their position and to gain points in every match. Defensive substitutes should be Roserio’s way and method. Fresh Wesley Fofana from the bench means a lot for the team.
It could be Ruben Amorim’s method.
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