Although the players have stated in the press conferences that they are fully behind Jose and that there is no rift between players or even between the management team, there seems to be something just not clicking for the blues this season. The goalkeeper this season is Courtois, which was the same as last season when Chelsea won the league. He is currently out with an injury but has been replaced by another top goalkeeper in Begovic, any other team in the league would be more than happy to have one of either these two shot stoppers. When Courtois returns from injury it should settle the team down again as he is great at commanding and directing his back four. The back four is almost the same from the tittle winners of last season with 21 year old Kurt Zoma been the only new face back there. They still have the likes of Ivanovic, Azpilicueta, and Cahill to be leaders from the back and who could forget the captain and club legend John Terry. With all this experience and talent to call on it is hard to see where and how there are some many problems at the back. The defensive midfield players that are available is the same as last season also, with the preferred players of choice to be Matic, Fabregas and Ramires. Fabregas got 19 assists last season the most in the league and has struggled to re find that sort of form this season so far, for a player of his quality he is very much under preforming this season, and he was one of the players that was mentioned by the press to be not fully behind Jose, which he later came out and put that straight. Matic was a rock in front of the back four last and was a big part in the role of helping Chelsea to all the clean sheets. He was one of the first names on Jose’s team sheets every week but again has not re captured that same form. This season he even came on as a sub at half time before been then subbed off again 20 minutes later.
These defensive midfielders have gotten a lot of criticism this season and have be blamed for the poor form as they haven’t provided the same protection to the back four. For me I think there is problems with the defence but also there doesn’t seem to be that same creativity going forward that we all enjoyed watching last year. The attacking players that Jose has at his disposal for me is probably some of the best options any manager in the English league could look for. With the likes of new singing Pedro, would came from Barcelona for just over £21 million, Willian, Oscar, Falcao, Costa and last year’s premier league player of the year Eden Hazard. The players I have just mentioned would strike fear into any team’s heart because every one of them are well able to find the net and a team mate in a better position. Hazard won player of the year last year and was reportedly wanted by Real Madrid and Barcelona, he was near unstoppable last season and it wouldn’t have crossed Jose’s mind last season to sub or even drop him for any match when fit. This season he has indeed been subbed off and even dropped for a couple of games because like the rest the team, he hasn’t been at his best. For me I think the best players this season so far is Willian and Costa, Willian has dug Chelsea out of some major problems already this season with his unstoppable free kicks and general play, he has been Chelsea’s player of the year so far in my opinion. I also said Costa, the reason been, although he gets himself into a lot of trouble for silly incidents that should be avoided, he always gives it 100% and puts himself around the field. He works tirelessly for the team and in many matches has risked himself for the team. He would almost do anything for them vital three points. The only negative thing about the attacking players this season is that they haven’t scored them vital goals needed to win matches.
Author: Ian Collins - 4th year BB (Hons) in Recreation and Sport Management student.