Are Chelsea Serious Title Contenders? The Verdict Is In!
Chelsea are playing well, but is it enough to win the Premier League? After impressive wins against Liverpool, Tottenham and Barcelona this season, questions remain about their consistency. The Blues' attacking prowess, even with Cole Palmer sidelined, is comparable to Arsenal's. However, historically, title-winning teams need a significant goal difference per game.
Arsenal currently lead the way in this metric, highlighting Chelsea's need to improve defensively. As Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella pointed out, dropping points against smaller teams has been a recurring problem. Can Chelsea address this inconsistency and mount a serious title challenge?
Key Differences: Defence and Set Pieces
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca acknowledged Arsenal's defensive strength, stating they are “defensively the best team.” He draws stylistic similarities between the two sides, both favouring a patient possession-based approach and high pressing. However, Arsenal's dominance in set-piece situations is a crucial differentiator. They lead the league in goals from set pieces, while Chelsea rank second. While Chelsea has conceded only one more goal from set pieces than Arsenal, the Gunners’ attacking threat from these situations is undeniable.
- Arsenal: Best offensive set-piece team in the league.
- Chelsea: Second in set-piece goals, but needs improvement.
To be true title contenders, Chelsea must address their defensive frailties and improve their effectiveness in both attacking and defending set pieces. Only then can they consistently challenge the league's top teams and mount a serious title challenge.