What a difference a month can make. In early December, Chelsea were being lauded as potential title contenders, with the media hyping up a revival that flattered to deceive. Fast forward to now, and the narrative couldn’t be more different. One win in their last seven league outings has left the Blues spiraling down the table, with Manchester City and Newcastle stretching their lead and Bournemouth now level on points after their 5-0 victory against Nottingham Forest.
Aston Villa who’re yet to play this weekend are sitting in eighth, only four points behind Chelsea—a previously unthinkable scenario for a team with such ambition. The drop-off has been nothing short of disastrous and unforgivable.
The defeat at the Etihad highlighted everything wrong with this Chelsea side. Defensive organization was nonexistent, with the backline recklessly playing a high line that invited chaos. Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Omar Marmoush ran riot, exploiting acres of space left by a clueless defense. Levi Colwill’s early yellow card for time-wasting after Noni Madueke’s opener summed up the mentality: a team more focused on damage control than actually playing football. When Chelsea did find rare openings, they squandered them, plagued by slow decision-making and a lack of clinical edge.
Chelsea’s January transfer dealings only add to the frustration. The club’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho feels like a vanity signing, a move that will do little to address the glaring issues plaguing the squad. The midfield is crying out for reinforcements, especially with Romeo Lavia sidelined until mid-March at the earliest. Defensively, the high line and lack of cohesion are begging for a shake-up, but the directors seem content to paper over the cracks.
Meanwhile, the goalkeeping situation is rapidly becoming a crisis. Robert Sánchez’s performances have been error-strewn and unconvincing, and it’s hard to justify his continued presence as the No. 1. A replacement is desperately needed if Chelsea are serious about salvaging their season.
"We trust Robert for sure. He is completely aware he is making mistakes in this moment. We trust Robert. We have one entire week and we will see the reaction for the next game."Enzo Maresca
One of the most baffling decisions from Enzo Maresca has been his unwavering faith in Robert Sánchez despite the goalkeeper’s repeated blunders. Time and time again, Sánchez has cost Chelsea points with his poor decision-making and shaky handling, yet Maresca continues to persist with him as the No. 1. Meanwhile, Filip Jørgensen, a promising young talent who has yet to be given a fair chance, watches from the bench.
For many Chelsea fans, this stubbornness is maddening. How long can Maresca justify sticking with a keeper who inspires no confidence, especially when the alternative hasn’t even been tested? It’s decisions like these that leave supporters questioning whether the manager fully grasps the urgency of the situation.
Top-four hopes are slipping away. With Newcastle pulling further ahead and mid-table clubs closing the gap, the directors’ mismanagement is becoming impossible to ignore. Instead of prioritizing key areas, they seem to be making moves for the sake of optics, ignoring the pressing need for defensive stability, midfield creativity, and a reliable goalkeeper. If this continues, Chelsea may find themselves not just outside the Champions League places, but in a full-blown identity crisis and another wasting year.