Chelsea: Three lessons learnt in goalless draw with Man United

Chelsea’s game against Manchester United on Sunday saw the same fate as the reverse fixture as the two sides played out a stalemate. To be honest, many had high expectations for this game on the back of an electrifying win at Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea has been playing well ever since Thomas Tuchel arrived in west London, and Man United was in decent form, as well. Regardless, there wasn’t enough in the attacking third from either side as they took one point each. The Blues remain fifth in the table and only sit one point above defending champions Liverpool after the Reds defeated Sheffield United away from home shortly after the conclusion of the game at Stamford Bridge.

What are some of the things we learnt from the Blues’ goalless draw against United?

1. Chelsea needs to be more creative and direct in attack

If there has been one concern that we’ve seen ever since Tuchel took over, it has been the team’s lack of free-scoring. Given the firepower the Blues have, they’re not really scoring much to show for it. They haven’t looked incredibly creative or direct ever since the change of managers, and it can play as a concern.

The same observation was made after the game against Atletico Madrid mid-week.

Chelsea’s defending very well, there’s no doubt about that, but Tuchel’s system doesn’t allow it to create that much. The German’s style is very rigid and balanced, but that doesn’t really make sense considering the Blues still should score more goals than they are currently. They are not making that many clear cut chances, and that is hurting them a little bit. Chelsea needs its signings to figure themselves out as soon as possible. Tuchel needs to figure this out, as well, before it starts becoming a problem for his side. The lack of chances is concerning at any point in time, but especially right now on an insanely tough run.