The past few weeks under Graham Potter have been filled with matches Chelsea would rather forget. From an elimination from a cup competition, it finished as the runners-up last season to an underwhelming performance against Arsenal, and now Newcastle United, CFC has plenty of time to ponder a plan for reassuring itself in the top-flight post-World Cup. The Blues have not won a Premier League match since October 16, against Aston Villa, and despite some encouraging signs at times, the Blues have only found the back of the net in open play in the league once over the last five contests.
Chelsea’s attack looks more than lacklustre at the moment, and while injuries are part of the reason, this is a squad that should be producing more than just 17 goals over 14 games in the English top flight so far. In Potter’s first seven games in charge of Brighton & Hove Albion, he won just one match, and while a club like CFC demands results at a whole different level, there needs to be a time when trust trumps all.
Following the loss against the Magpies on the road, Potter gave a positive spin on the result with a long break on the horizon, stating:
"“We take the break to recharge and go again…There won’t be many of us. A lot of the guys go away, But those that remain will work and go again. We have had a tough period and there have been a lot of positives but also some negatives. Sometimes you have to accept the struggles you have. It is about regrouping and starting again. It is the second half of the season and there is a long way to go.”"
There were times when Arsenal could have sacked Mikel Arteta, but the club stayed by its manager, and the results this season are finally coming to fruition. This is not a process where Chelsea is going to seamlessly transition a new ownership group and new manager within a couple of months to equal consistent results in the number of competitions it competes in.
Even in Pep Guardiola’s first season in charge of Manchester City, he experienced a run of contests where the club was six matches without a win including elimination from the EFL Cup, just like the Blues this season. A world-class strike from Joe Willock was the separator at St. James’s Park, and while Newcastle created the far better chances throughout the match, Chelsea was able to limit a team who has scored four goals in its last two league games to just one.
Scraping in defense should not be the goal, threatening the goalkeeper, and keeping him on his feet constantly has to be the task the Blues have to figure out during this lengthy hiatus. Chelsea has the lowest expected goals of any team in the top half of the table, accumulating the lowest total on Saturday in the league with an astoundingly horrific 0.36 expected goals in the final match until Boxing Day against a determined Bournemouth side that has been a pain to play against over the last week. For CFC, this extended break is a positive, especially for Potter, who now has time to regroup significantly since taking over as the manager in west London. As the World Cup moves closer and closer, here are the lessons learned from the Blues’ forgettable match against a flying Newcastle side:
This team does not look like Chelsea right now
Just a few weeks ago, the Blues thrashed AC Milan 5-0 over two legs, and now they look unrecognizable, having dropped four out of the last five games. Many key contributors like Mateo Kovacic have dripped in form at the wrong time. It does not matter the kind of combinations that Potter puts out on the pitch, Chelsea simply cannot buy a goal at the moment. The good thing is, the Blues do not need a goal for several weeks.
An 18-year-old straight from the academy has looked better at the senior level than some of the Blues’ most experienced players in the top flight. Blues midfielders are defending in their own box consistently, instead of causing a threat to the opposition in the other box. Breaking presses, like Newcastle’s, finding the attacking unit, and giving them quality chances have been an issue.
Whether it is mistakes in the back, or giving up possession far too easily, Chelsea just does not look like itself. There is no coherence between the defense, and attacking line whatsoever at the moment. The midfield has to be able to break up play and without N’Golo Kante in the mix, Potter has not been able to find two in-form midfielders to act as the creators, and duel with some of the best attackers on the opposition’s side. It may take a while for Potter to find the answers, but the good thing is, he has time, and if this club believes this is the man to take it back to the top, he is going to solve these issues that could become long-term ones down the road.
The future is here, patience is a virtue
Arguably one of the biggest positives of the season so far is being able to see Conor Gallagher live out his dream of playing for CFC following his loan spell in south London. Even though veterans like Thiago Silva continue to come up with crucial plays, it is the young stars of the Blues that are making the statements during this poor run of form. From Hall showing no fear at just 18 years of age at the senior level to Armando Broja leading the line, the future is here at Chelsea Football Club. In four or five years, it is clear which players are not going to be playing for the Blues anymore.
To see a young striker like Broja get a chance against a side playing some of the best football in the country only bodes well for what is to come. Blues fans have seen the end product from Broja, the talent of Hall, the dynamism of Omari Hutchinson along with the consistency of Trevoh Chalobah. Right now, Potter is playing a solid squad each night out, and while some may be critical of his team selection, and rightfully so, he is making sure the youth of this team receives the opportunity it deserves.
Hutchinson’s time will come during the second half of the season, perhaps on December 27 at Stamford Bridge. The youth academy is producing talent like no other, and as the developmental team continues to impress, there could be even more call-ups before the season is over. Having Reece James on the pitch changes the entire outcome of the last few matches, but that is something that was out of the Blues’ control.
The youth of this team seem to demonstrate constant energy, and that is what Chelsea needs to find success going forward. Veterans are always a good place to turn to for advice, but when it comes to lineup selection, there is no excuse not to play Gallagher in the midfield, Hall on the left flank if he is in form, or even Hutchinson if there is a need for something new up top because the energy of this team comes from the ones that are hungry to prove themselves.
November to December 27 is a massive stretch for Graham Potter and Chelsea
There may be no games on the schedule for the Blues between Boxing Day, but this stretch during the world’s most prestigious tournament is one where refocusing is key. While many players are going to be going on international duty, the group that is staying with the club has a task to challenge the players coming back when that time comes. Potter has an opportunity to add to his list of needs ahead of the January window and figure out ways to solve the lack of goals that is equaling the drop in form.
Tactically, Potter is a manager that loves fluidity and adjustment, but finding a structure, and identity has to be the goal in order to right the ship with a crucial second half of the season now the reality. From the Champions League knockout stages against a young Dortmund side to the FA Cup to fight to get a Champions League position next season, there is going to be a lot of work to be done. Reece James, and Ben Chilwell being able to rehab, and not hurt their chances, even more, is an advantage for the Blues.
César Azpilicueta even left the pitch early against Newcastle due to injury, and while it is tragic that he may not be able to contribute to his country in the way he wants in the World Cup, the west Londoners need all the rest they can get. The world saw Potter give a chance to Lewis Hall twice, but could the Blues be in need of even more youth in the midfield? Hutchinson is a player that has an opportunity right in front of him to impress the Englishman while the others are gone. It is not just finishing the right solutions when it comes to the lineup cards each night out, it is about going back to playing CFC football as a team. The energy and drive have been more than lacking for the Blues during this run of fixtures, and out of all the teams in the Premier League, no club requires a substantial break more than Chelsea Football Club.