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Chelsea appointed Maurizio Sarri after a disappointing season under Antonio Conte. Conte’s season imploded with player mismanagement, especially in the center forward department - after alienating Diego Costa.
These are exciting times though, with the arrival of Sarriball, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Jorginho who are certainly great additions to the club.
Chelsea dominantly beat Huddersfield 3-0 in their opening fixture of the Premier League, Jorginho had a great game and scored a penalty as well, yet it doesn’t look like Chelsea will finish as title winners. Here are five reasons why.
#1 Struggling center-forwards
Alvaro Morata was signed last season for an astounding £60 million. The club record signing at the time arrived with huge expectations, and was touted as the perfect replacement for Diego Costa.
He scored 11 goals in the Premier League last season, falling short of expectations, and his performance especially in the second half of the season was mediocre. He was terrible during pre-season, and looks out of shape.
Batshuayi has been sent to Valencia on an ill-advised year long loan move. Chelsea have World Cup winner Giroud of the bench, but that is exactly where he is most effective . He scores important goals off the bench, no doubt.
The World Cup winner played every game of the World Cup without getting a single shot on target. He will not win Chelsea the title on his own. Giroud and Morata are slow target men, and aren’t Sarri’s type of strikers.
There is talk of Eden Hazard playing as a false 9, but it is a position he has never played in. There will be plenty of chances created, but there will be a shortage of goals.
#2 Implementing Maurizio Sarri's system
Sarriball is fast paced and possession-based style of attacking football, concentrating on the high press. It involves quick short passes to move up the pitch as rapidly as possible.
It is an attacking style of football which is highly demanding on the players. It will take time for the players to get used to the new system, and it is also doubtful if some players can get used to it.
The likes of Marcos Alonso, Willian, Victor Moses and David Luiz are misfits in this system, and will have to alter their styles of play to fit in.
All stats via transfermarkt
#3 Competition
Manchester City and Liverpool look poised to contend for the title, at least on paper. West Ham have strengthened immensely in the summer, but Liverpool made them look like a Championship team by beating them 4-0 in their first match of the season.
Manchester City were also dominant in their encounter with Arsenal, winning 2-0 away from home. Both teams have had managers for more than two seasons. Not only do both teams have superior players, the players are used to the manager's playing styles. Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have their distinctive styles of football, and it has taken time for the players to adapt.
Manchester City are favorites to win the title, and signed Riyad Mahrez to enhance their already world class team. Liverpool have also made great signings by snapping up Alisson, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri.
They are a little suspect at the back, but Dejan Lovren had a great World Cup, and Alisson is coming off the back of a brilliant season at Roma, he is also showing no signs of relenting. Chelsea will find it hard to compete with these two teams.
#4 Jorginho’s physicality
Sarri has signed his kingpin from Napoli - Jorginho, to help implement his style of play at Chelsea. Jorginho is one of the best passers of the ball in the world right now. His pass frequency and pass completion rates are unmatched. He can find his man anywhere on the pitch, and this will be a major asset for Chelsea.
He is not the fastest or most physical player though. This was exploited by Manchester City, the same team who were close to signing him. He was dominated and stifled successfully by the Manchester City midfield. He will need Kante’s protection to flourish, and it remains to be seen if they can gel together in a long season.
#5 Shaky back-line
Chelsea missed out on signing Koulibaly, and they will rue that mistake. Chelsea have Antonio Rudiger, David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and captain Gary Cahill on their books.
Gary Cahill is way past his prime, and should have been shipped out. David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger are both inconsistent. David Luiz is better offensively than he is defensively, and is a better defensive midfielder or sweeper than center back.
It is up to Sarri to mould him into a Koulibaly-like player, as he capable of playing out from the back. Rudiger is solid, but he seems to have trouble adjusting to the pace of the Premier League.
The very underrated Azpilicueta is a natural fullback, but he is the most dependable center back at the moment. It will be interesting to see how Sarri handles this, and if he will change his preferred formation with a back four to a back three.
23-year-old Kepa was signed by Chelsea for a world record fee. The €80 million man made only 54 appearances for Athletic Bilbao, but is seen as a top talent in his home country. Even the most hardcore Chelsea fan will admit that Chelsea have taken a huge gamble.
The pressure will be massive, considering the stature of the club, his transfer fee, and demanding coach. There is no doubt he will be a world class goalkeeper in a few years, but it is expected he will have a difficult time just as De Gea had when he came to Manchester United.
Rob Green looks like he was signed just to make up the numbers with regards the homegrown department. Willy Caballero is coming off a dismal World Cup, and is short on confidence. The pressure is on Kepa to deliver.
