{"id":93738,"date":"2023-09-27T10:34:32","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T10:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/?p=93738"},"modified":"2023-09-27T10:34:32","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T10:34:32","slug":"chelseas-attack-is-no-better-after-spending-1bn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/soccer\/chelseas-attack-is-no-better-after-spending-1bn\/","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea's attack is no better after spending \u00a31bn"},"content":{"rendered":"
Sunday’s home defeat against Aston Villa must have felt like d\u00e9ja vu for Chelsea fans.<\/p>\n
Chances came and went for Mauricio Pochettino’s men, and then they were punished by Ollie Watkins as the visitors claimed a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
There was genuine optimism at Chelsea heading into the season that they could put their dire 2022-23 campaign behind them and start to build something under Pochettino, but the early signs are not looking promising.<\/p>\n
The Blues have taken just five points from their opening six games, recording their worst league start since 1978, and it isn’t hard to see their main issue – scoring goals.<\/p>\n
They only netted 38 times last term, and their goals-per-game ratio is even worse in 2023-24 with the team scoring just five times in six matches. Three of those came in one game against newly-promoted Luton, who have only picked up one point themselves.<\/p>\n
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Chelsea suffered their third defeat of the season on Sunday as they lost at home to Aston Villa<\/p>\n
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Mauricio Pochettino has not seen his side score in September, and they missed several chances against Villa<\/p>\n
Chelsea’s disappointing results have left them 14th in the table, already nine points adrift of the top four. But have they been unlucky?<\/p>\n
According to Opta statistics, Pochettino’s men actually rank highly compared their Premier League rivals in a number of attacking categories this month.<\/p>\n
They sit third out of the 20 top-flight clubs when it comes to total shots (45) and touches inside the opposition box (110) in September.<\/p>\n
Their expected goals (xG) is also up at 5.49 for the month, placing them fifth. It is clear that opportunities are being created, and these numbers indicate they should be competing for a European spot.<\/p>\n
The problem is finding the finishing touch. Chelsea are the only Premier League team to not score in September, and they are tied for third when it comes to most big chances missed (7).\u00a0<\/p>\n
They also only rank 12th when it comes to shots on target (12), suggesting a lack of composure in front of goal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Much has been made of Chelsea’s focus on bringing in midfield and defensive reinforcements in the summer rather than looking to improve their attack, but they did sign Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson to take their total spend over the last three transfer windows past the \u00a31billion mark.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Nkunku picked up a serious knee injury in pre-season and may not play again in 2023, while Jackson still looks like a raw talent who only has one goal to his name so far.<\/p>\n
His discipline has also been called into question after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season for dissent against Villa, meaning he is now suspended for the team’s next game.<\/p>\n
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Nicolas Jackson has only scored once this season and is now suspended for the next game<\/p>\n
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Armando Broja could replace Jackson, but is being eased back into action after a long-term injury<\/p>\n
Pochettino revealed he spoke to Jackson and midfielder Enzo Fernandez last week about their protests leading to them being given cheap bookings, but his warning appeared to fall on deaf ears this weekend.<\/p>\n
When looking at potential alternatives to Jackson, Pochettino’s options appear limited.<\/p>\n
Armando Broja has only just returned from a lengthy layoff following an ACL injury, while summer signing Deivid Washington is only 18 and yet to make the squad this season.<\/p>\n
Chelsea have a seemingly endless supply of wingers and attacking midfielders including Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk and Cole Palmer, explaining why they are able to fashion chances, but none of these players can be relied upon to put the ball in the back of the net consistently.<\/p>\n
As a result, Pochettino is likely going to have to stick with Jackson, which could mean more wastefulness in the final third, at least for the short term.<\/p>\n
There is obvious ability within the Chelsea squad, but fans’ patience is being tested. Some labelled their team’s performance ‘unacceptable’ on Sunday after losing to Villa as discontent grows in west London.<\/p>\n
It is hard to believe that Chelsea have spent such an eye-watering amount of money and yet not improved their attack at all over the past 12 months.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pochettino has called for time to implement his ideas, but even he has shown signs of weariness, and admitted his side need to ‘grow up’ after their latest setback.<\/p>\n
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Chelsea are creating chances, with Raheem Sterling shining this season, but they do not have a consistent goalscorer<\/p>\n
It seems there is no quick fix available to the Argentine when it comes to sorting out his attack other than hoping his players can finally find their feet at the business end of the pitch.\u00a0Chelsea supporters have been praying for the same thing for the last year to no avail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Blues face trips to Fulham and Burnley ahead of next month’s international break, before a daunting run of fixtures that will see them play Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle, Brighton and Manchester United between late October and early December.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pochettino is not believed to be under any immediate pressure to hold onto his job, but he still has work to do to win over the club’s fanbase.<\/p>\n
He must start delivering results, and that requires his team discovering their shooting boots. Failure to do so could see the fans turn on Pochettino, and leave under-fire owner Todd Boehly with another difficult decision to make after already firing two managers in his first 12 months at the club.<\/p>\n