Chelsea had an opportunity to make up ground in the title race by taking advantage of an under-strength Manchester City team. On the back of the team’s best performance of the season, Chelsea wasted the opportunity to build any momentum and jump up into early title contention.
Chelsea were a wonder against Atletico Madrid. The commentators Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard remarked that they had not even seen Barcelona or Real Madrid play this well against Atletico in years. It was the sort of performance that announced that Chelsea were back in the Champions League and already contending for it.
Rather than build on that achievement, Chelsea’s display against Manchester City was the sort of spineless, soft and toothless display that marks the difference between champions and also-rans.
Antonio Conte’s men started off the game well. They tangled with City in a very open and flowing match. Beautiful football was being played end to end. Chelsea, though not dominant from a possession standpoint, traded blows with City through Alvaro Morata, Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante.
Then Alvaro Morata subbed himself off with an apparent hamstring problem and everything went pear-shaped. Conte made the odd decision to substitute Willian for Morata and left Chelsea without a recognized striker. The Blues essentially sat through the entire match headless and unable to fight back against a Manchester City team who were regal in their approach.
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The issue with this match is that Chelsea buried all of the strengths they showed against Atletico Madrid. Against Atletico they were determined, here they were indignant. Against Atletico they were consistent, here they were barely there.
Chelsea could have made a real statement in this match and gained ground in the title race. Instead they wasted the opportunity – at home no less – to build momentum and make a statement.
The only player who played half well in this match once Alvaro Morata came out was Eden Hazard, and he was subbed huffing and puffing after 75 minutes. He was not perfect by any means but at least he had purpose.
Cesc Fabregas, on the other hand, had the sort of match not even his closest relatives would appreciate. Antonio Rudiger continues to exhibit just how much of a juxtaposition can exist between a man’s athletic ability and his footballing intelligence. Gary Cahill… I have no interest in discussing him anymore nor my visceral reaction every time he wears the armband. And Tiemoue Bakayoko surely knows that he can pass the ball without touching it six thousand times (give or take a few).
I digress.
Chelsea were awful in this match. Don’t let thinking they played well for a half hour of 90 minutes dissuade you otherwise. They were not deserving of the win here.
Chelsea’s title win last season flattered them in a division that was still getting used to itself. With the number of new bosses and players coming in Chelsea were able to make the most of a chaotic situation. Manchester United and Manchester City both showed better, more decisive team-building attitude than the Blues this past summer. It showed in this match. The title will return to Manchester with performances like this from the defending champions.
Next: Chelsea player ratings vs. City: Starters were poor, subs made it worse
This match was a true shame. The supporters deserve better. Roman Abramovich deserves better. London deserves better. An atrocious performance by Chelsea Football Club.