Chelsea FC 0-1 Arsenal: FA Community Shield Reflections
Limited Creativity
During the second half of last season, Chelsea struggled from fatigue, fitness issues and the poor form of key players, leading to the team’s over-dependence on Eden Hazard for creative input going forward. On evidence of Sunday’s performance, it seems that those problems have not been adequately resolved.
With Hazard showing little inclination to take on opposing players as he is wont to do (I have a feeling that he was instructed by Mourinho to play thus to avoid getting injured), Chelsea struggled to make any real headway going forward.
Willian was the only player who showed any directness to his game, taking on players and running with the ball to draw attention in a bid to create attacking space to exploit. Remy was forced to drift wide to contribute effectively since he was always isolated in Arsenal’s 18-yard box with 2-3 defenders nipping at his heels. Even Radamel Falcao struggled to contribute effectively as his clever runs were not being spotted by his team mates.
Fabregas may be Chelsea’s second best creator, but Mourinho’s decision to place him in the central attacking spot restricted him as he isn’t usually at his best in tight spaces. This was proven every time he tried to advance into the box. He was also uncharacteristically lackadaisical with his set-pieces as he failed to test the Arsenal back line with any of them, while his passing was also not up to scratch as he misplaced way too many.
He became more effective when he was moved back to his suited central-midfield position, where he was able to set up Chelsea’s best chance of the game which Hazard managed to blast over the bar when scoring would have been easier.
In spite of the his public vote of confidence, Mourinho must have been worried about his team’s inability to penetrate Arsenal’s back line. He has backed Oscar, Juan Cuadrado and Victor Moses (who are the club’s only other really direct/creative options) to improve this year, but on the evidence of their performances last season, it seems to be a very risky gamble.
This is especially true when Costa’s fitness issues mean that Chelsea’s best goalscorer may not be as consistent as he hopes. The Blues may suffer from dire consequences for their unwillingness to bolster the squad with another top attacking player!
Next: Tale Of Two Keepers