Chelsea’s set piece malaise is well and truly over now
Chelsea built a reputation last campaign for being poor defenders of set pieces, but the Blues have left those problems in the past.
One of Chelsea’s biggest problems last season was its vulnerability from dead-ball situations. Whether it be corners or indirect free kicks, there was always a large atmosphere of uncertainty whenever Frank Lampard’s men were tasked with defending set pieces as the Blues conceded their most goals ever in a Premier League campaign.
From a largely timid goalkeeper to a lack of communication between players, various factors contributed to this deficiency that resulted in so many “heart in mouth” moments for The Blues’ supporters last season. Chelsea conceded a total of 15 goals from set pieces, which is about the same number conceded by the top two combined with only three teams letting in more. Of those three teams, two are currently playing in the second tier of English football, which shows just how poor Chelsea was in that regard. Further, it shows how many points the Blues let slip away from them when things were said and done.
Fast forward to this season, things have undoubtedly taken an upward curve in the set piece department on both ends of the spectrum. The signings of Edouard Mendy and Thiago Silva have helped Chelsea look more assured on set pieces.
Mendy, as we all know, never shies away from an opportunity to claim a cross before it develops into anything more catastrophic and exudes confidence into the defense in general. This is in stark contrast to the man he replaced as Chelsea’s No. 1. Silva, on the other hand, has formed an excellent partnership with Zouma which has arguably been the best centerback union this season in England’s top flight.
11 games into the new campaign and only three goals have been let in from dead-ball situations. Chelsea currently ranks sixth in that aspect, a large improvement from the 17th spot it occupied the previous season. However, it is not only in the defensive aspect where things have improved as Chelsea’s set piece susceptibility has now been transferred to whoever it is facing. With a league-high seven set piece goals scored from corners and another league-high 57.7 percent aerial duel success rate, opposing players will be wary of giving away any opportunities for Chelsea to invite the likes of Zouma up the pitch to attack corners or indirect free kicks. The French centerback has scored four goals this term, with all of them coming from corners.
The great Chelsea teams of old—led by John Terry, Didier Drogba, Lampard and others—were usually so effective at dealing with set pieces on both ends and the current crop seems to be following suit. Lampard may still have issues to fix if he’s to replicate the success he enjoyed as a player on a managerial scale, but it’s safe to say we can all tick vulnerability from set pieces off the list.
Next. Chelsea’s Frank Lampard set for another bout against his greatest mentor. dark
What do you think the key to Chelsea’s recent success on set pieces is? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!