Antonio Conte's Chelsea turned the Premier League title race into a procession in his first season, but worrying cracks are appearing that threaten to fatally undermine the current campaign.
The Stamford Bridge club accrued 93 points - the second-highest tally in the Premier League era - to finish seven points clear of nearest challengers Tottenham Hotspur and a whopping 15 ahead of Manchester City in 2016-2017.
But this term it is nine points adrift of pacesetters Manchester City, with three defeats already - it only suffered five losses in the whole of last season.
So what's gone wrong?
Lack of Signings
Spain striker Alvaro Morata was Chelsea's marquee signing in the summer transfer window, joining alongside midfielders Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater and defenders Antonio Rudiger and Davide Zappacosta.
But moves for several targets failed to come off.
England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain opted for Liverpool and Spanish striker Fernando Llorente elected to move to London rival Tottenham, while Ross Barkley stayed at Everton.
Perhaps most gallingly of all, striker Romelo Lukaku chose Manchester United over a return to his former club.
Conte expressed his frustation at Chelsea's failure to land some of his top transfer targets, but made clear he had no intention of walking out.
European Distractions
Last season Chelsea had no European commitments after finishing a lowly 10th in the table in 2015-16, meaning it could focus all its attention on the Premier League, with ample time to rest between matchea.
Despite its damaging 3-0 defeat away to Roma on Tuesday, it still looks poised to qualify from Group C, but its continental exertions are putting a strain on Conte's thin squad.
Matic Mistake?
Chelsea has been widely criticized for allowing defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic to join former boss Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
Despite a strong-looking midfield roster that includes Bakayoko, Cesc Fabregas and N'Golo Kante, Matic's loss has been felt, particularly given that Kante has missed a chunk of fixtures with a hamstring injury.
Former England and Manchester United defender Phil Neville, speaking after the Roma defeat, said whoever decided to sell Matic should be sacked.
"What's gone wrong for Chelsea? One word: Matic," Neville told BBC radio.
Conte has also been hampered by injuries to key players.
Unrest?
Reports have emerged of players becoming unhappy with a tough training regime and Conte has admitted his squad is struggling to cope with the demands of defending the Premier League title and competing in Europe.
But in an angry outburst last week, he deacribed reports of unrest at the club as "bullshit".
The Italian denied his reign has been undermined by players texting his former assistant Steve Holland to complain of his training methods and rejected a story that he will not see out the remaining 20 months of his contract.
AFP/John Weaver
Conte expressed his frustation at Chelsea's failure to land some of his top transfer targets, but made clear he had no intention of walking out.
European Distractions
Last season Chelsea had no European commitments after finishing a lowly 10th in the table in 2015-16, meaning it could focus all its attention on the Premier League, with ample time to rest between matchea.
Despite its damaging 3-0 defeat away to Roma on Tuesday, it still looks poised to qualify from Group C, but its continental exertions are putting a strain on Conte's thin squad.
Matic Mistake?
Chelsea has been widely criticized for allowing defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic to join former boss Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
Despite a strong-looking midfield roster that includes Bakayoko, Cesc Fabregas and N'Golo Kante, Matic's loss has been felt, particularly given that Kante has missed a chunk of fixtures with a hamstring injury.
Former England and Manchester United defender Phil Neville, speaking after the Roma defeat, said whoever decided to sell Matic should be sacked.
"What's gone wrong for Chelsea? One word: Matic," Neville told BBC radio.
Conte has also been hampered by injuries to key players.
Unrest?
Reports have emerged of players becoming unhappy with a tough training regime and Conte has admitted his squad is struggling to cope with the demands of defending the Premier League title and competing in Europe.
But in an angry outburst last week, he deacribed reports of unrest at the club as "bullshit".
The Italian denied his reign has been undermined by players texting his former assistant Steve Holland to complain of his training methods and rejected a story that he will not see out the remaining 20 months of his contract.
AFP/John Weaver
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar