The Blues dropped points against Sunderland on the weekend…
Chelsea have made a great start to the season, and are currently unbeaten in all competitions going in to December. The manner of their wins have also been impressive with much more attacking impetus than they were known for last season.
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However, following Manchester City’s return to form and the Blues’ struggles against Sunderland on Saturday, there could be life in the title race yet. Here are five reasons why the Stamford Bridge outfit still have a long way to go in their attempts to become champions…
5) Diego Costa’s injury history
The Spain international has been vital to Chelsea’s forward play this season, scoring five more goals than anyone else in the squad. However, the Blues can’t rely on him to be able to play in every match. The 26-year-old has already missed several games through injury, and backups Didier Drogba and Loic Remy just aren’t at the same level as the Brazil born striker. His patchy disciplinary record will also not help his ability to play non-stop.
4) Complacency
It may be a sign of their dominance that they have to worry about thinking they’ve already won the title, but it could be a problem. Bayern Munich showed last season how hard it can be to motivate yourself when you think you’re too good for the other side. However, with Jose Mourinho in charge you would think that this would be less of a problem due to his reputation as a great man manager.
3) Reliance on Nemanja Matic
The Serbian is very important to how the Stamford Bridge outfit set up. It is his defensive work that allows the rest of the midfield to play in the free flowing manner which they do. Were anything to happen to him such as an injury or a drop in form, then it would be interesting to see how Mourinho copes. Ramires can perform a similar role in the middle of the pitch, but is not as effective as the Serbian.
2) Manchester City’s resurgence
The Sky Blues were in poor form for the first part of the season, but have recently picked up their performances. With victories against Bayern Munich and Southampton in the past week, if they continue in this vein they will be pushing Chelsea all the way to wire for the title.
1) Teams “parking the bus”
The London team were accused of it themselves last season, but now they will have to experience it from the other side. Sunderland were the first team to keep them from scoring this season, and the Stamford Bridge based team will have to learn how to score against teams defending in the same backs against the wall style more often as the campaign wears on.