Chelsea are clearly struggling, that much is clear. What is not so crystal clear, however, is why they are. The Blues lifted the Premier League only five months ago, with a borderline imperial side, but have lost four Premier League and a Champions League fixture since their title defence began.
Jose Mourinho delivered the first league crown in five years for the West London outfit, after signing the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and bringing Thibaut Courtois back from his two year loan with Spanish giants Atletico.
The Portuguese capitalised on an ageing Manchester City side, who had stagnated after a number of years without a significant refreshment on first-team options. Perhaps that same accusation could be levelled at Chelsea, who only added Barcelona winger Pedro to immediately slot in to the strongest XI available.
Though Radamel Falcao and Asmir Begovic have had runs in the side, they have only really come as a result of injuries of suspensions. The highly covered pursuit of John Stones fell flat on its face, and the failings of John Terry and Gary Cahill have been well documented.
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What makes the side’s stagnation even more galling, is the success of two players sold by the club over recent seasons, a duo pulling the strings at Premier League rivals towards the top of the division.
Juan Mata, a two time Player of the Year with the Blues, as well as a key member of their famous 2012 Champions League winning squad, was sold to Manchester United back in 2014 for £37.1m. At the time, it looked like a great bit of business amid suggestions the World Cup winner was not a ‘Mourinho’ player.
However, the Spaniard has proven himself to be a key player in Louis van Gaal’s Old Trafford project, eclipsing compatriot Cesc Fabregas at Stamford Bridge, who has seemingly lost all trace of last year’s form. As Mourinho looks for a spark, his former playmaker is in electrifying form.
Kevin De Bruyne three goals and two assists since arriving at Manchester City, via Vfl Wolfsburg. The £55m man left Chelsea for £18m during the same window as Mata, with the ‘Special One’ suggesting problems with his mentality was key in the decision to sanction the sale.
At Wolfsburg, the Belgian international came into his own and set a record for the most assists during a single Bundesliga campaign, with 20. He chipped in with goals from the engine room as well, with 26 league strikes in year and a half there. Exactly the kind of player the Blues are calling out for.
Though Fabregas’ role in the Blues’ title win can’t be understated, the former Arsenal ace has a history of problems maintaining form throughout a whole season, at both the Gunners and La Liga juggernauts Barcelona.
Brazilian forward Oscar is not a Number 10 befitting of a side who (usually) challenge for top honours. Where De Bruyne recorded more assists than anyone in Europe’s top five leagues last year, the Selecao star is yet to record one this season. Meanwhile, Mata continue to marvel in Manchester.
Though Chelsea’s tribulations can’t wholly be attributed to the sales of Juan Mata and Kevin De Bruyne – after all, they won the league without them – their ageing side desperately needs nourishment.
For a manager who usually gets it so right, the fact two players are delighting at sides in the top three, in areas Chelsea are struggling, will cause a particular grievance.
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