Three lessons learnt in Chelsea’s defeat at West Ham

2. Chelsea’s forwards are still not pulling their weight

Keeping to the same train of thought—that Chelsea’s defensive record will become increasingly difficult to maintain—it is paramount that the Blues’ forwards begin to contribute more on the offensive side of things. Hakim Ziyech and Mason Mount aside, the rest of Chelsea’s attack floundered against West Ham’s defenders. Both Kai Havertz and Romelu Lukaku failed to impact the game in the final third, if at all, with the latter looking especially lost when he was brought on at halftime. Additionally, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic both toiled away on the left-hand side of Chelsea’s attack but to no avail.

Perhaps this is down to a failure to utilise the Blues’ forwards in accordance to their respective strengths. For one, Tuchel seems to have yet to figure out exactly how to best make use of Lukaku. Moreover, Hudson-Odoi and Pulisic have often been deployed in positions that do not come naturally to them. This is evidenced by Hudson-Odoi being deployed as a left wingback in the latter stages of Saturday’s contest.

Alternatively, Chelsea’s struggles could simply be a natural process of having one’s tactics and formation found out over time. As was the case during Antonio Conte’s second season in charge of the Blues, games become increasingly difficult to navigate once a template for dealing with the threats posed by Chelsea became apparent. However unlikely, a change in formation could be considered or perhaps rotation amongst the attackers limited to foster greater chemistry. Either way, both Tuchel and the players have to come together to seek out solutions on the pitch. Chelsea’s fading title hopes hang on this very ability to inject renewed vigour into the starting XI.