[BBC]
Giving targets away cheaply has change into an unwelcome behavior for Chelsea lately, and that frailness was as soon as once more uncovered by Qarabag within the Champions League.
Defensive lapses and a scarcity of focus have made the Blues more and more weak, significantly when defending one-on-one or beneath sustained strain from opponents.
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It hasn’t helped that Enzo Maresca has been compelled to closely rotate his defensive set-up because of accidents and managing participant health, however the fixed adjustments have bred instability and disrupted chemistry, mirrored in Chelsea’s rising struggles to maintain clear sheets.
Maresca has fielded a unique centre-back pairing in every of Chelsea’s final 10 video games, a worrying pattern for a facet in search of rhythm and consistency throughout all competitions.
Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana impressed towards rivals Tottenham earlier within the week, however it’s tough to construct any momentum when the pairing adjustments so drastically the next sport.
In opposition to Qarabag, Tosin Adarabioyo and Jorell Hato seemed disjointed and hesitant – with Hato enjoying out of his pure left-back place and largely at fault for each targets conceded within the first half.
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Nineteen-year-old Josh Acheampong has arguably been the Blues’ most spectacular centre-half this season – and a transparent favorite amongst supporters – however it’s an enormous ask to count on the teenager to anchor the defence for your complete marketing campaign, even when he has proven extra promise than his senior team-mates.
In moments like these, Chelsea can not help however miss the management and presence of Thiago Silva – a determine able to steadying the again line and guiding his teammates in tough conditions.
It’s no secret that Levi Colwill’s summer time damage left a transparent void, and the choice to not recruit one other centre-back is definitely one to rue. Reinforcements in defence will certainly be excessive on Maresca’s January want listing.
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