Chelsea Lacking Cutting Edge Under Tuchel

17/03/21 3693

Chelsea picked up another point on Saturday afternoon in their pursuit of a top four place and Champions League football next season.

That result continued the undefeated start for Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and the German has gone 12 games without loss having replaced Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge.

There have been plenty of positives, including the 1-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Tuchel has clearly worked on the defensive aspect of Chelsea’s game and they have kept five straight clean sheets in all competitions.

However, there is a concern growing about the number of goals being scored by Chelsea and if they do not start finding the back of the net more regularly, it is going to become a problem in their quest for a top four place.

Only once in their last 6 matches have Chelsea managed to score more than a single goal in a game.

The Blues have scored just 5 goals in their last 6 fixtures in all competitions and this is not good enough for a team including the attacking talent available in the squad.

Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, Olivier Giroud, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech, and Kai Havertz are all high quality attacking players.

Even the full-back positions boast plenty of attacking threat with the likes of Reece James, Marcos Alonso, and Ben Chilwell, so it must be concerning that Chelsea are not scoring enough goals.

Speaking after the 0-0 draw with Leeds United, Tuchel said, “We have enough quality to use the chances better and to be more clinical”, before continuing, “It is our responsibility, my responsibility to create more and to maybe have more big chances.”

The German spoke about his fellow countryman, Kai Havertz, saying “Unfortunately he could not finish like he finishes in training and like his talent allows him to finish, because we had enough chances. “But in general, this is a position where he feels comfortable and I trust him in this position.”

Chelsea have conceded just two goals in their 10 Premier League games under the guidance of Tuchel and no manager has conceded fewer in their first 10 games in charge in the Premier League. It is a solid basis on which to build and Tuchel will no doubt have next season in mind and a possible title challenge.

However, it is crucial Chelsea qualify for the Champions League if they are to strengthen the squad ahead of next season. Chelsea face a run of favourable Premier League fixtures including games against West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Fulham in their next 5 matches.

The Blues will be expected to take maximum points from those games but the teams they are coming up against are sure to get plenty of men behind the ball, which could cause problems for Chelsea.