Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea (5-4 on pens): 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

#2 Cesar Azpilicueta adds to Chelsea’s defensive woes

Azpilicueta's form is becoming a concern for Chelsea

The 2019 off-season was always going be a strange period for Chelsea, a club that regularly ranks as one of the most active in the market, now had to take a back-seat and ensure none of their assets left them. However, the Blues were unable to do so and let David Luiz join Arsenal on deadline day.

Though the Brazilian was prone to the odd mistake, he definitely was a leader who rallied those around him. The inexperience in the defensive department reared its ugly head at Old Trafford o the 11th of August when Andreas Christensen, Emerson and Kurt Zouma were torn to shreds by a rampant counter-attacking team.

However, more surprisingly, it was Cesar Azpilicueta’s uninspired performance that caused a furrowed brow or two.

The Spaniard has been Chelsea’s ‘Mr. Dependable’ over the years and has deputised in numerous positions across the defensive line. Yet, the defender has been anything but dependable in the opening few fixtures of the season.

Against Liverpool, both goals came off his side. While he was culpable of playing Roberto Firmino on-side for the build-up to the first goal, he again allowed the Brazilian to get through, enabling the Liverpool forward to square the ball to Mane.

Moreover, he was caught out of position on several occasions and wasn’t as penetrative with his passes forward.

During the summer, Lampard might’ve looked at Azpilicueta, hoping for the Spaniard to act as the glue for a greenhorn defence. Yet, nothing of the sort has transpired so far and the Chelsea manager might have to go searching for an answer he believed he’d known before the season started proper.