Chelsea has certainly looked better than they do right now. The Blues sit in a meager ninth place at this point in the season, having won only two of their last three matches.
Let's not take anything away from the teams above them for what they've achieved so far this season, but when you factor in Chelsea being behind Sunderland, Bournemouth, Man United and Aston Villa, you have to admit Chelsea has not capitalized on their opportunities.
Next up, the Blues face Tottenham. If Enzo Maresca is to turn it around at any point in the season, fans would want a win against Spurs the most.
And, if a recent report by The Athletic is anything to go by, then Chelsea must win this game to flip the disturbing trend they've fell victim to.
Simply put by The Athletic writer Simon Johnson, "Chelsea need to play like they have a point to prove every week, not just in high-profile games." That was the headline for Johnson's column, and we have to say, this is almost impossible to disagree with.
Chelsea looks on course to ruin their season by prioritizing rivalry games over lesser-profile games. They look far better in, quote unquote, big games.
Chelsea's record vs bigger teams this season
Match | Result |
|---|---|
Ajax (H) | Won - 5-1 |
Liverpool (H) | Won - 2-1 |
Man United (A) | Lost - 2-1 |
Bayern Munich (A) | Lost - 3-1 |
Benfica (H) | Won - 1-0 |
West Ham (H) | Won - 1-5 |
Chelsea has a pretty good record against the bigger teams this season. In games that they should have probably lost, or at least drawn, they won rather convincingly. Ajax, Liverpool and Benfica games were all proof of that.
Chelsea did let this record slide against Man United, but by their own account, Man United has started the season pretty well. Chelsea wouldn't have expected to win every big game in sight, after all.
What's most impressive is how Chelsea has started this Champions League campaign. They lost against Bayern Munich but they could have arguably won this match, had it not been for controversial refereeing calls. Otherwise, it's been a solid campaign in the competition that Chelsea knows well.
No, we didn't sneak West Ham in there. They're not a big team, but a London derby is a big game for Chelsea. That was a nice opportunity for the Blues to pad their stats.
Chelsea's poor record in smaller games
Here's where The Athletic has got it spot on. Chelsea may have done well in high-profile games, but they've seriously let themselves down in the smaller-profile games.
Match | Result |
|---|---|
Brighton (H) | Lost - 1-3 |
Sunderland (A) | Lost - 1-2 |
Fulham (H) | Won - 2-0 |
Crystal Palace (H) | Drew - 0-0 |
Brentford (A) | Drew - 2-2 |
And yes, it might seem like we're being overdramatic or reactionary to point out two losses and two draws as being the bane of Chelsea's season. But let's not avoid the facts, we're still early in the season. Every match matters.
If Chelsea won the four games they dropped points in, from the table above, they would have 10 more points than they currently do. That would have them top of the table.
So, yes, Chelsea does need to treat every game with the respect it deserves. If they don't, they risk regretting their gameday strategies come the end of the season.
Paying attention to every game starts where Chelsea means to go on, against their longtime rivals, Tottenham.