Things look promising for Chelsea, even when plenty of work is needed

Chelsea faces Tottenham in the cup. The Blues need work, but things also looking promising for them going into the fixture.

The start of the season has been mixed for Chelsea. They have had all three possible results once each in the Premier League. Their victory over Barnsley was not as easy as the scoreline would suggest as well. Such difficulties should be expected considering the lack of proper preseason especially with injuries and new signings.

The match against West Brom was a story of two halves. All three goals the Blues conceded were a result of individual mistakes. Apart from that, they looked better defensively considering it was the first time Thiago Silva featured in the Premier League. It takes a lot for the team to come back after going 3-0 down.

Chelsea had a similar slip-up in the previous season as well. The difference was the fight in the second half. When they went 3-0 down at Sheffield towards the end of last season, it never looked like they had it in them to mount a comeback. But this team possessed that belief in them. Unlike past seasons, fans saw all three strikers together on the pitch trying to salvage something from the match.

The second half will give them a lot of confidence ahead of their visit to Tottenham Hotspur stadium. But, despite the result, there were many glaring issues in the middle. It was very much evident against Barnsley, a team that had lost both their games in the Championship before facing Chelsea. Such a team should never be allowed to have nine shots on target. Willy Caballero would not have kept a clean sheet against better opposition.

As a result, it was not a surprise, that a better team like West Brom was able to punish the Blues. It is clear why Frank Lampard is desperate for Declan Rice. This team definitely desires a man in the middle to sit in front of the two center backs.

Another area that seeks massive improvement is in the middle while going forward. Chelsea had four players up top looking for something from the center with the ball mostly at the feet of Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, and Reece James. For all his qualities, Kante is never the player who should be taking up the area for someone with the profile of Thiago Alcantara, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, or even Jorginho. He doesn’t have the vision and ability to find players like them. Kovacic can dribble and retain the ball as good as anyone, but he lacks the output in the final third. Even James was not in his usual self regarding crossing.

Despite all the new signings, the fact that those three had the ball most was something to be concerned about. Those signings were made because of the lack of output from the middle of the season before. Work should be done to the system such that they are not in the position to provide that pass to the final third.

It is still early season and things only get better from here. But the more time it takes, the more the doubts start to creep in. Frank Lampard should make sure things do not go that far. Chelsea can’t have Pulisic and Ziyech back quickly enough. After that, it will be all down to Lampard and how the players respond to his tactics.