COMMENT: The slump continues.
Here, I am going to try and identify the problems causing Chelsea's awful start to the season. Sit tight...
Firstly, the pre-season schedule. All wrong. Far too short. Playing four friendlies is not enough preparation at all when everybody else was getting more time off. Not sure what they were thinking there I really don't.
Secondly, the main problem, Branislav Ivanovic. I'm sorry but it's true. Out of the 17 goals Chelsea have conceded this season, a whopping ELEVEN have had Branislav Ivanovic directly involved. This is a staggering statistic in such a negative way, and if Jose Mourinho really is 'The Special One', surely he can see he needs to be dropped? It is beyond baffling.
Thirdly, the transfer window was absolutely pitiful. Pedro is the only major signing (no, Radamel Falcao doesn't count) and we already have two perfectly able wingers in Eden Hazard and Willian. Pedro is arguably better than Willian, but by such a tiny upgrade. Don't get me wrong, I am absolutely delighted that we signed Pedro as I think he is absolute class, but like I say, we have not upgraded enough.
We are being sussed out as everybody knows what we are going to do, how we play, our tactics, etc. There were signs of this at the back end of last season, and even at the start of this season. What I find peculiar is that even at the start of the season there was still time to upgrade the team. However, we spent so much time trying to sign John Stones, who I all along said looks well overpriced at this point in time, that we totally messed up.
Everybody was saying we are 'back' after the Arsenal game and even after the Maccabi Tel-Aviv game. I, however, fail to see how you can say we are 'back' already.
Maccabi Tel-Aviv would do well to survive in the Premier League, and Arsenal had nine men. NINE men. This is the same Arsenal team that were beaten by Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos.
However, being honest, I was happy with a point away to Newcastle. We almost always lose there, and Mourinho has never won at St. James Park. This, on top of the fact that we were 2-0 down with little over 10 minutes remaining, in my opinion is a good point for us, and I think if we had not had such a bad start to the season, many more Chelsea fans would be saying the same.
As for that Porto game, although we were a bit unlucky, once again Ivanovic was at fault for their first. It's getting unbelievable now. I'm not even saying that he is a bad player, but it's so obvious he needs a break, it's actually worrying that Mourinho can't see that.
Sorry, but I think the bottom line is Mourinho and the club have got it very, very wrong this pre-season/season. However I am absolutely buzzing for the Southampton game. I like a 5:30pm kick off on a Saturday afternoon. This could be the game that young Baba gets his chance at left-back...
Keep the Blue flag flying high.
- Charlie.
Die Hard Charlie is Chelsea mad and part of the Cheeky Sport team. For more from from Charlie visit the Cheeky Sport Youtube channel and subscribe. And if you see them at the game, say 'hello' and get involved!
