Chelsea: Observations on a satisfying, underwhelming win

Chelsea once again had questionably poor team selections by manager Thomas Tuchel and an inability to put the ball in the goal. Yet, the Blues still managed due to great goals by the amazing Antonio Rudiger (my MOTM) and a penalty once again drawn by Timo Werner and put away by Jorginho to take a solid lead before Keleichi Iheanacho scored to reduce the margin to, 2-1. Only a miss on a veritable sitter by Ayoze Perez kept Chelsea from a tie.

A loss would have put their top four aspirations in jeopardy and perhaps doomed the team to the Europa League. Tuchel, after a roaring drive toward two cup wins and a top-four finish, made poor team selections and was coming close to petering out to a whimper in his recent games. He has now failed on one cup final and the opportunity for a top-four finish was in great jeopardy had they lost to nemesis Leicester. A loss might have left Chelsea’s and Champions League qualification depending on a Champions League win against a Manchester City side that is raring to smack down a Blues side that eliminated them from the FA Cup competition. Now, a win vs. Aston Villa on Sunday will secure a top-four finish.

Frankly, Tuchel’s decision-making with two questionable at best starts for his second keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (both losses) and the concomitant losses, had put Chelsea on the back foot and behind the proverbial eight ball both on the pitch and it says here psychologically. Tuchel’s gaffes sucked the life out of a Chelsea side that should have taken the FA Cup from Leicester and in the prior game wiped out a pitiful Arsenal side, as well, to help ensure that top-four finish.

Tuchel has justifiably had to shoulder the blame for the terrible FA Cup loss to Leicester (and he should as well for the foolish move to replace his top keeper against Arsenal when every Premier League tie is critical). An article previously pointed out the folly of playing a second keeper in a final, any final, no matter what outdated conventions or traditions might “dictate” otherwise. He persisted and the result was elimination in the FA Cup final which was a hard pill to swallow for Blues fans. That was an inexcusable but altogether predictable defeat.

In addition, Tuchel again, as in the previous loss to Leicester, played Cesar Azpilicueta on the wing. He’s not a winger. Azpilicueta is a very, very good defender in a back four at fullback or in a back three on the right side. But attacking skills? They’re just not there. What about that is so difficult to fathom? Concomitantly, he again played Reece James, who possesses one of the best crossing skills in the entire league on the back three where he can’t cross very much. What is possessing this manager to take irrational steps when rationality above all is required to win these remaining big games? Any explanations would be greatly appreciated in this space.

Chelsea dominated Leicester City, yet once again, and as it has all season, was either unable to hit the net with a good chance or was offside when they did. This maddening season-long set of events must have almost any Chelsea fan ready to pull out whatever hair is left on their heads in despair. This inability to capitalize on great chances with clinical finishing is very difficult to watch.  Tuchel has been unable to unlock a successful attacking combination and frankly, does any Chelsea fan think he will this season, or maybe ever? This season seems a lost cause and next, well, who can predict.

This win will ensure a top-four finish if Chelsea wins at Aston Villa on Sunday. They can also qualify by winning the Champions League against the top side in England and in Europe, Manchester City. Two weeks ago, I would have thought that Chelsea would take all three of their great opportunities to the bank: an FA Cup win; a top-four finish; and, a Champions League final win. They now have blown one, the FA Cup; must win their last game perhaps to guarantee the second; and, the third, well, is against Manchester City.

Today, there was another offside goal by Timo Werner as well as another disallowed goal ruled no goal as a result of handball by Werner. Is this real-life football or some kind of game simulation that Chelsea is playing? It’s unbelievable. And Chelsea players when they are not offside or guilty of handball still cannot get the ball into (or even on) the net on good chances on goal. Only the drawn penalty by Werner saved the Blues today.

This writer has termed Chelsea the “gang that couldn’t shoot straight” and that metaphor continues and goes on, and on, and on agonizingly, game, after game, after game. Is there no relief from this inability to finish? Unfortunately, it does not seem so this season. There are too few games left to hope. The breakout that seemed imminent will not happen. And don’t bet the house or the farm or even five quid on the next final. Does anyone know at this point think that the result will be good?

Tuchel drained the life out of the Chelsea squad by playing his second keeper in a critical Premier League game and then in the FA Cup Final. The team lost both. No surprise there. That team, that had full faith in Edouard Mendy lost that faith, yet, perhaps against Leicester at the Bridge regained it, somewhat. Hopefully, it will be fully restored by May 29th. If Tuchel uses his best available against City, maybe they can take that big Cup home. We’ll see.