Sheffield United 2 -2 Chelsea: Blues positives and negatives
Blues Positives
Thiago Silva and Noni Madueke get rare chance
Thiago Silva and Noni Madueke received rare opportunities to showcase their potential in the match. Silva made his first appearance since the 3-1 victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on February 12. Silva opened the scoring for Chelsea in his 100th Premier League appearance for the Blues, marking a significant milestone for the Brazilian. His presence in defence, especially after recovering from a groin injury, underscored the leadership he brings to the team. Madueke, who has often found himself behind Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk in the pecking order, was given a rare start. His goal, which initially appeared to be the winner, until the Bees equaliser at the death, showcased his ability and could earn him the manager's trust in future games. Madueke's performance hints at his ability to contribute significantly to the team's progress in the upcoming season.
Blues Negatives
Defensive Issues Plague the Blues
In the first half of the season, Chelsea struggled in front of goal, scoring a meagre 41 goals in 25 25 Premier League matches. Somehow the Blues have overcome that struggle by netting at least two goals in each of the last five matches. Despite Chelsea's recent improvement in scoring, defensive vulnerabilities persist, evident in their struggle to maintain clean sheets. Throughout the season, the Blues have grappled with defensive solidity, conceding at least one goal in every league match since game week 21, averaging 1.73 goals against per game. This inability to shore up their defence remains a concern for Chelsea. Not a good sign!
Missed opportunities to build momentum
After the dramatic victory against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in midweek, the game against Sheffield United presents the perfect opportunity for Chelsea to build momentum and string some good results together. With European places still up for grabs, Chelsea could have moved to within three points of sixth place with a game in hand. However, the Blues colluded to give Sheffield United the initiative.
Asked about what the coach thinks about the performance of the team. The Chelsea boss said:
“ The problem is that we are conceding too much. Still, we cannot find this balance to be solid and get better. It is the profile of the player. We are still learning about them. We cannot find the right balance to score goals and concede less. We are working on this. It is something we need to improve. And that is why we are in that position”
Pochettino is right, the team cannot climb the table playing like the way they played against Sheffield United, Manchester United and Burnley in the last three games.