Chelsea’s massive improvement can be attributed to two key skills

Chelsea’s recent success across all competitions boils down to a massive improvement in two key areas, both involving new additions.

Chelsea has learned two principles that could take the team far this season. The art of no nonsense clearances and the brilliance of deep passes. The Blues have implemented both this season and they’ve both been missing lately.

At the beginning of the season, the expectations were high, and rightfully so. With the abundance of new and exciting signings, Frank Lampard’s youth project and players actually stepping up to the plate, everything seemed to be in place. However, these things alone were not enough to win games, let alone titles of any kind. Chelsea needed to improve on two particular fronts: clearances and breaking compact defenses with deep passes.

In regard to the “no nonsense” clearances, the lack of these have caused big issues for Chelsea lately. The Blues became far too comfortable playing out from the back, particularly when under pressure. Opponents took a notice of this deficiency and exploited it week in and week out. Chelsea played a risky game by passing back to the keeper, keeping possession near the corner and eventually passing to the opposition. Needless to say, more than one ended suffering from a heart condition after said plays.

Whether this a lingering condition from Chelsea’s Europa League title winning season, or just a reflex from having Kepa Arrizabalaga at the goal, such play is no longer an issue. The Blues have learned to deal with high pressure by implementing a long-forgotten tradition, clearing the ball. This alone has solved a lot of self-made problems for the back line. One of them being defenders having to find spaces to receive a pass, rather than closing spaces.

Now, with an organized defensive line, the Blues simply clear the ball and regroup. This simple, yet impactful, tactic has led Chelsea to solidify the players’ strengths. The teams seems less likely to concede a goal during most open play attempts. And, even if it is close, the players are in great positions to prevent shots with last-ditch efforts. This alone can be a reason why Chelsea wins silverware this season. After all, a good defense is the base of any winning team.

That said, an attack that penetrates defenses is equally important. Chelsea was lacking the players and tactics that provided those moments in abundance. The side-to-side passes around the box, the back passes to defenders, and the lack of decisive forward passing made Chelsea predictable. The lack of creative initiative translated into some players have to provide individual magic to create chances. This is why the Blues struggled to break through compact defenses last season.

This season, that is no longer the case. With the additions of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner—as well as the already established Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Mateo Kovacic—Chelsea stands at the peak of creativity. Not only is the possession of the ball fluid, but it is also precise. This allows for players to exploit the open spaces and play quick passes inside and out of the box.

However, the biggest threat comes from crosses at the edge-corner of the box from Ziyech. One of his fantastic traits is the ability to see the soft cross into the path of a player. Although he attempts several passes in a game, only a few stick the landing. This type of play is necessary to any complex attack. The Blues are no longer playing at the feet of the next player, but their runs and spaces. Ultimately, this makes the attack difficult to cope with since those who arrive on the other end of the crosses are great finishers.

Chelsea is still a work in progress, but, the Blues have made significant strides in substantial areas of the pitch. It is hard to call Lampard’s side a title contender, particularly this early in the season. However, if this is not the season, one can be sure the next will be. We know it and so do other teams.