Chelsea at Manchester City: Three lessons learnt in uninspiring loss
By Tan Yi Hao
2. Chelsea’s front three did not pull its weight . . . again
Coming into this game against Manchester City, Chelsea’s forwards must have known that clear-cut opportunities would be few and far between against one of the league’s most disciplined sides. The Blues’ title rivals boast the best defensive record in the league and how clinical they were against said back line could’ve proved decisive on the day. It was the difference between leaving the Etihad with three points and a smaller gap at the top or the polar opposite.
Disappointingly, however, Tuchel’s selection of Hakim Ziyech, Pulisic and Lukaku failed to pay off. The latter two attackers went missing for large parts of the game while Ziyech’s final ball during the first half left so much to be desired. Pulisic’s decision-making was also disturbingly poor and perhaps reflects the frame of mind of a player who is out of form and low on confidence. The American was seemingly a passenger for much of this one. The forwards as a unit failed to get involved overall, but the Blues’ No. 10 didn’t have an impact at all.
As for Lukaku, the Belgian was presented with a glorious chance early in the second half to score having been put clean through on goal by Mateo Kovacic. This was the moment for the 28-year-old to right the wrongs of his now-infamous interview with Sky Italia. This was the moment that could well justify Chelsea’s decision to spend over £90 million to bring the Belgian back to the club over the summer. Instead, Lukaku’s weak finish was easily—and quite acrobatically—palmed away by Ederson before Ziyech duly struck the ball over the bar. It was a moment that was painfully representative of Chelsea’s struggles in attack and would prove costly just 17 minutes later, when De Bruyne curled a beauty into the bottom right corner of Kepa Arrizabalaga’s goal.
Do not be surprised when Chelsea’s attack undergoes another serious reshuffle ahead of the next Premier League match against Brighton midweek.