Chelsea took on Wolverhampton Wanderers on the back of the news that Todd Boehly has officially been confirmed as the club’s next custodian. Clearly buoyed by the new-found clarity about the future of the club, the players started off the match well, cheered on by a home crowd that has finally refound its voice. However, despite Romelu Lukaku’s quick-fire brace early in the second half, the Blues’ defensive issues once again reared their ugly head. Ceding possession in dangerous areas and losing control of the game as Wolves chased their second goal, Chelsea would ultimately fall victim to a 97′ equaliser from Conor Coady.
Here are the three lessons we learnt the Blues’ disappointing draw with Wolves:
1. Woeful home record
Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Wolves meant that Chelsea has now lost 21 points at home this season. Recording just seven wins in 13 home matches prior to the international break in March, the Blues’ record at the Bridge has severely hindered its ability to match up with Manchester City and Liverpool. Since the international break, however, things have somehow gotten worse.
Apart from losing 3-1 to Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League, Chelsea also recorded embarrassing losses to Brentford and Arsenal, shipping four goals in both games. Key defenders take turns having “brain fart” moments and as much as Thomas Tuchel would like the fans to believe that Chelsea’s home pitch is hindering the way his team plays, the results are simply not good enough. Beyond the fact that any future title charge has to be predicated on good home form, the Blues’ poor home record could yet derail their bid for top four this season. With a squad as expensive and talented as the one that Tuchel has at his disposal, finishing any lower than third this season has to be seen as an abject failure. With two more home games against Leicester City and Watford coming up in the league, Tuchel has to set the record straight, or risk Chelsea’s automatic Champions League qualification spot coming under unnecessary pressure.