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Reasons why Chelsea can win the Premier League this season

By Ashish Thomas

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions as Frank Lampard, Manager of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions as Frank Lampard, Manager of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s English head coach Frank Lampard (R) reacts at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in London on October 3, 2020. (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s English head coach Frank Lampard (R) reacts at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in London on October 3, 2020. (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

2. Help from the new defensive signings

Chelsea has scored the most goals in the league (20), has the joint-best goal difference (+10), the second least goals conceded (10), fourth best xG created (13.36), least xG conceded (7.93) and most set piece goals scored (6). When one looks at these stats, it makes for a refreshing difference from last season when the Blues scored less than their xG created and conceded more than xG conceded. Granted this is a small sample size, the eye test seems to concur that this is a sign of things to come. Chelsea made a plethora of signings in the summer, the headlines showing their host of attacking depth with not much column length given to the defensive signings made.

First and foremost, Edouard Mendy has just filled in the position of most need by being reliable between the posts. Many were very skeptical of his signing given the fact that he is relatively inexperienced on the big stage. However, he’s been superb. The Senegalese keeper has brought a calm nature to the back line, something Kepa Arrizabalaga failed to do during his 2+ seasons as the No. 1. Mendy has had an Alisson Becker-esque impact on the club, the similarities are striking. Mendy has done the simple things well and when called upon to pull off a spectacular save, he’s been up for it. He also been brilliant on defensive set pieces and shown no hesitance to go for crosses, something which his height and wingspan surely assist with doing.

The next signing, Thiago Silva, is proving to be one of the canniest signing of the summer. The fact he was signed on a free makes it even sweeter. He has been a colossus at the back, giving some much needed guidance to the rest of the back four. The Brazilian’s distribution has been great to watch as his ball progression has proven to be another key in unlocking stubborn defenses.

The final defensive signing, Ben Chilwell, has had a great start to life at Stamford Bridge. He’s been a difference to terms of how Chelsea attacks down the left side. The English fullback has shown attacking endeavor akin to how Marcos Alonso played, but with better recovery pace to deal with counter attacks. His signing enables Frank Lampard to have a solid presence at left back rather than a stopgap.

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