Chelsea 4-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv: Five talking points

A huge moral boost for the Blues as they cruised past Tel Aviv 4-0 in their Champions League opener.Chelsea managed to chase their defensive blues away with a comfortable 4-0 victory against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the opening fixture of Group G in the Champions League. Eden Hazard missed an early opportunity to put the Blues ahead from the penalty spot but was relieved when Willian scored in Bizzare fashion from a set piece before getting injured.Diego Costa was brought on in his place and subsequently won another penalty which was dispatched coolly by Oscar. Costa then scored after a scintillating Fabregas ball into the box which brought back fond memories of last season for the Blues fans who were on hand. Fabregas then wrapped off what was the easiest game the Blues have had this season so far with a goal in the 78th minute.Here are the major talking points from the game.

#1 Mourinho switches things up

Loic Remy and Reuben Loftus-Cheek were both starters against Maccabi

“I have to try a different dynamic” – these were the words used by Jose Mourinho in his pre-match build up regarding his choice of team selection. He certainly held true on that promise.

Given their recent exploits in the Premier League, it’s no surprise that Mourinho wanted to redesign his lineup in order to start Chelsea’s European campaign on the right foot. What did come as a surprise however was how the Portuguese manager decided to implement that aforementioned restructuring – 6 changes in his starting XI from the one that played against Everton on the weekend.

This included the likes of Terry and Diego Costa moving to the bench, while new boy Baba Rahman replaced the uncharacteristically shaky Ivanovic on the left flank. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a product of Chelsea’s academy, was given a rare start ahead of Nemanja Matic.

The Blues lined up in what was a 4-1-4-1 formation, a slight variation from their usual 4-2-3-1 construction. By moving both Fabregas and Oscar alongside in the centre of the pitch and playing with just one holding midfielder in Loftus-Cheek, Chelsea managed to create more time on the ball in midfield without compromising on shielding the back-four given the lack of threat Maccabi were showing.

#2 Chelsea still lack that spark going ahead

While Chelsea’s defence has borne the brunt of criticism this year, their attack, or rather lack of it, is just as responsible for their poor results so far. While the Blues managed to put four in the back of the net against Maccabi, they were mainly able to do so due to poor defending on the part of the Israeli side rather than outright skill and talent produced while going ahead on their behalf.

Last season, Chelsea possessed this ruthlessness while going ahead, especially on the counter-attack, which sent shivers down opposition defender’s spines. It was swift, clinical and paid them massive dividends. This season, however, that sense of setting up fast paced, effective and successful attacks seems to have evaded them.

Chelsea had the ball at their feet for most of the game, however, failed to create much. What they gave the fans instead was tepid, subdued gameplay with passing that lacked purpose. This improved in the second half – exemplified by Costa’s goal after a scorching Fabregas ball into the box which was reminiscent of last season.

These instances, however, have been few and far between. Their talisman from last year – Hazard in particular, has flattered only to deceive and has been well below the standard we’ve grown accustomed to see him playing at.

#3 Chelsea sort out their defensive problems temporarily

New signing Baba Rahman put in a good shift for The Blues

Much has been said about Chelsea’s lacklustre defence this season with the blame for their poor results resting firmly on their shoulders. While this is a tad bit harsh, it isn’t entirely untrue. They have been uncharacteristically shabby at the back and have been made to pay at every instance. The game against Maccabi, however, marked a welcome change in Chelsea’s defensive fortunes.

With Terry and Ivanovic dropping to the bench, Chelsea’s youthful backline consisted of Azplilicueta, Cahill, Zouma and Baba Rahman. While their performance was far from being called a masterclass in defending, it represented a big improvement on their earlier games.

Zouma and Cahill shared a good relationship at the heart of the defence, sniffing out most of the attacks that came their way with ease. The ever consistent Azpilicueta had an organized outing on the right flank where he initially started his career.

All in all, it was a tidy performance from the Blues at the back. While tidy may not write headlines, it does get the job done – something Mourinho is well aware of. However, it must be said that Maccabi didn’t represent the best of tests for the backline and their true test will come on the weekend when they face Arsenal.

#4 Maccabi Tel Aviv are definitely the minnows of Group G

Maccabi Tel Aviv failed to trouble the Blues in the game

To say that Maccabi Tel Aviv’s performance left much to be desired would be a gross understatement. The Israeli side offered next to nothing across 90 minutes while going ahead against an average Blues defence. It was also blatant, schoolboy errors commited by them that resulted in the first two goals and also in them conceding the first penalty which was then subsequently missed by Hazard.

All hopes of Maccabi pulling off something like PSV Eidenhoven did the other day against Manchester United and becoming the surprise package of Group D are all but gone with the wind by now after their threadbare performance against a Blues side that is yet to reach its full potential.

With games against a strong Dinamo Zagreb side and an Iker Casillas-led Porto on the cards, things aren’t going to get much easier for Maccabi and if they do wish to achieve the impossible and progress through to the round of 16, they will need to improve drastically on all fronts.

#5 Loftus-Cheek impresses

Loftus-Cheek replaced Matic in the centre of the park

While Chelsea’s £18 million signing Baba Rahman was on display against Maccabi Tel Aviv, it was their youth product Ruben Loftus-Cheek who really stood out for the Blues. Deputizing for Nemanja Matic as the sole holding midfielder, Loftus-Cheek managed to undertake the arduous role of shielding Chelsea’s fragile back four with ease.

Displaying composure representative of someone well above his age, he managed to bridge the gap between Chelsea’s backline and the attacking midfield duo of Fabregas and Oscar competently, spreading the ball all around the pitch from the back.

What Loftus-Cheek offers to Chelsea is someone who is not only strong while tackling for the ball but someone who is equally comfortable with it at his feet. In that sense, he’s already a better option as a partner for Nemanja Matic than John Obi Mikel who doesn’t offer much while pushing ahead in attack.

Given the fact that Fabregas cannot play the role of holding midfielder alongside Matic for the Blues, Loftus-Cheek may prove the perfect fit for Chelsea in the near future and could establish himself as Chelsea’s most impactful academy product since John Terry.