5 factors that derailed Chelsea's 2017/18 season

#4 The defence has been unsettled throughout the season

Chelsea's defence has been shaky throughout 2017/18

One of the hallmarks of Chelsea’s title-winning campaign in 2016/17 was the fact that their defence – once Antonio Conte settled on a three-man back line – was essentially settled throughout the season.

Central defenders Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill and David Luiz started the majority of the season’s league games, with Azpilicueta appearing in all 38 games.

This season however, the Blues’ defence has been largely unsettled, and that’s meant for a far shakier foundation for the team. A mix of Cahill, Azpilicueta, and new signings Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have largely formed Chelsea’s back line this season, but thus far only Azpilicueta has played more than 30 league games.

And on numerous occasions, both Cahill and Christensen have looked extremely susceptible to individual mistakes.

Despite his fine form last season – being named in the PFA Team of the Year – David Luiz has been almost completely absent due to a combination of an apparent fall-out with Conte and subsequent injury issues.

While the Blues have conceded 34 goals thus far this season compared to 33 last season – not a massive difference – they also only let in more than 2 goals once in 2016/17 in a game against Arsenal prior to the utilization of the three-man defence.

This season that’s happened 4 times, with 3 of the occasions coming against lower sides in Burnley, Watford and Bournemouth. Chelsea’s unsettled defence has certainly contributed to their weaker season this time around and it’s something that desperately needs fixing in 2018/19.