Chelsea's season has gone from bad to worse. Only unlikely FA Cup success could salvage the campaign.
The Blues crashed out of the Champions League at the first knockout hurdle following defeat to holders PSG last month, and their league form has plummeted ever since.
Winless in their last five league games, Chelsea have not only slumped to seventh in the table, but their failure to score a single goal in all of those matches has highlighted just how deep rooted the problems are.
And if alarm bells within the club's ownership weren't already ringing, they should be now they can see the true extent of the team's defensive frailties.
Chelsea have conceded more goals inside the box than nearly every other team
Chelsea's early form has meant they've not been in danger of becoming embroiled in a bottom half battle like Tottenham Hotspur have, but that doesn't mean they couldn't be in the future.
The Blues will know that their London rivals' precarious 18th place position means no club — regardless of wealth — can take their top flight status for granted.
And that's exactly why the club should feel hugely concerned to learn that only six other teams in have conceded more goals inside the area than Liam Rosenior's side have this season in the Premier League.
Team | Total Goals Conceded | Inside Area |
|---|---|---|
Burnley | 67 | 62 |
West Ham | 57 | 53 |
Wolves | 61 | 52 |
Leeds | 49 | 44 |
Newcastle | 49 | 43 |
Bournemouth | 50 | 43 |
Chelsea | 45 | 42 |
Fulham | 46 | 42 |
Tottenham Hotspur | 53 | 41 |
Amazingly, despite the turmoil Tottenham Hotspur are in, and the fact they've conceded eight goals more over the duration of the season, fewer have actually come from inside their 18-yard box.
Elsewhere, of course seeing the likes of Burnley, West Ham and the already-relegated Wolves on the list is not surprising, but Chelsea aren't far off, and that's a massive worry.
Undeniable evidence that centre-back signings are the priority
Although there is constant talk over possible outgoings, including Alejandro Garnacho, who has fallen out with teammates, new defensive signings must be the priority.
Chelsea have been linked with several big name centre-backs in recent weeks, including Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix and Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi.
Both rumours have gone quiet in recent days though, so it seems neither will end up arriving at Stamford Bridge in the summer, though.
Nevertheless, with the Blues' defensive problems laid bare, particularly in close-confined central areas, directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart cannot afford to get it wrong again.
If Chelsea are to avoid an almost-unthinkable scenario unfolding next season, the club's sporting department must have already begun the process of identifying genuinely top central defenders.
Their next challenge will be to convince them to join a questionable project.
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