The missing ingredient(s).....

A deep dive into Chelsea’s struggles over the past two months reveals a significant drop in form coinciding with injuries to key players Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia, as well as a lack of European football disrupting momentum.

Original Source
Si Philips Talks Chelsea
Written by
Steve Worrell
19 Feb
14:19
Analysis

The1905.Club Summary

Chelsea’s poor run since mid-December appears to be influenced by multiple factors, including a halt in European football, which disrupted their rhythm, and injuries to key players. The data highlights Wesley Fofana’s crucial role in defence, with Chelsea’s results and defensive solidity notably worsening in his absence. His partnership with Levi Colwill provided aerial dominance and stability, something Colwill has struggled with since Fofana’s injury.

Similarly, Romeo Lavia’s impact in midfield is striking, with Chelsea looking more fluid and defensively secure when he plays. His exceptional passing and defensive stats underline his importance, yet his persistent injuries raise concerns about the team’s reliance on him. While these are not the only reasons for Chelsea’s slump, they are key contributing factors that highlight the team’s dependency on certain players.

Key Points

  • Loss of momentum – Chelsea’s form dipped after their last European game, with only three wins since mid-December compared to nine wins in ten prior.
  • Fofana’s absence in defence – With Fofana, Chelsea won 7, drew 4, and lost 1, conceding just 1 goal per game. Without him, results worsened, with more goals conceded and fewer scored.
  • Colwill’s struggles – Without Fofana’s aerial presence and defensive dominance, Colwill’s performances have declined significantly.
  • Lavia’s importance in midfield – Chelsea have scored more and looked more cohesive when Lavia plays, but his injuries have disrupted the team’s balance.
  • Lavia’s elite statistics – He ranks among Europe’s best midfielders in pass completion, through balls, tackles, and interceptions, underlining his influence when available.
  • Reliance on injury-prone players – Chelsea’s dependence on Fofana and Lavia is concerning given their injury records.
  • Not the sole reason for Chelsea’s struggles – Other tactical and squad issues also contribute to the slump.

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Getty
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Written by 
Steve Worrell
Steve, Co-founder of The 1905 Club, created the platform to provide honest, clickbait-free Chelsea FC content. He worked at Stamford Bridge from 2013 to 2016 with a Champions League sponsor. His first Chelsea match was a 1-0 win at Leeds in 2000, and his favourite was the epic 2012 Champions League game against Napoli.
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