There is a time to go to Stamford Bridge It’s like showing up to the dentist’s office with some discomfort in your teeth: you know it’s going to hurt. to Chelsea MourinhoChelsea conteeven Chelsea Tuchel… The best versions of ‘blue’ set in the 21st century are characterized by being concrete blocks that hardly fall over. Even Chelsea Matteo, with its eleven soldiers hanging from the crossbar and somewhat unusual attitude, is a tough opponent. Let them tell Barça or Bayern. This is Chelsea Mauricio Pochettino It’s far from being as solid as those, but it’s a team that has improved and 2024 has been on a par with England’s best. On par, indeed, with its own recent history.
He Chelsea This Sunday, they qualified for next year’s European competitions (pending whether they will play in the Europa League or Conference depending on what happens in the FA Cup final). In the set of Pochettino The Premier is lacking. If the first part of the campaign had similar results to those achieved in 2024, Chelsea could fight for a place in the Champions League. Their natural home, on the other hand.
“Only since December 26 City, Arsenal and Liverpool “They added more points than Chelsea.” This comment from a journalist at a press conference this week drew applause (and laughter) from Pochettino. And both the journalist was right and the Argentine coach had reasons to support him: in 2024, Chelsea added 32 points in 17 league games, losing only three of them. Liverpool added 34, City added 45 and Arsenal, 46. A streak that betters that achieved in the first 20 games of 2023: Pochettino’s men have amassed 28 points, losing the most games they won, eight. An unsustainable situation.
What did Chelsea improve? More importantly, he did it in the offensive phase. From averaging 12.7 shots, 4.9 shots on goal and 1.65 goals to averaging 14.5 shots, 6.23 shots on goal and 2.41 goals per game in 2024. Having the strongest player in the championship was also key: Si Cole Palmer has been the Premier’s top scorer since January, with 14 goals, one more than Erling Haaland, the top scorer in English football. During that time, he was involved in 20 Palmer goals, also assisting on six. Only Ollie Watkins, with 15 appearances, comes close.
What should be improved Chelsea It is in the defensive aspect. 62 goals is too many for a club that has made defending and keeping clean sheets an art. It is the eighth most scored in the Premier League. There is a striking paradox: in 2024 they have a worse average of goals conceded (1.82) than in the first section of the season (1.55). They created more chances for Chelsea, as they averaged 15.52 against, when in the first 20 days they were shot on 12 occasions. Offensive reaction, key to Chelsea’s grip on Europe. This is in debt to Pochettino, who suffered some painful defeats: 5-0 from Arsenal, 4-1 from Liverpool, 4-1 from Newcastle or 2-4 from Wolves. Also, they failed to reach the EFL Cup and the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
From a historical perspective, it Chelsea It is the weakest defense so far in the 21st century. In José Mourinho’s first season in London, 2004-2005, he scored just 0.58 goals per game. With Thomas Tuchel in 2020-21, who crowned the ‘blue’ as European champion, the average is 0.73. Now, Chelsea are getting three goals every two games. A figure that a multimillion-dollar organization that has established itself over the past 20 years as one of the most successful cannot afford. However, Pochettino’s first year at Stamford Bridge went further. If he continues at the level of 2024, he has reasons for hope next season.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
