Chelsea FC: 5 Biggest Problems the Blues Could Face This Season

While I argued yesterday that Chelsea have all the makings to accomplish having a season to remember, there’s also the very real possibility that they may run into several roadblocks that may hinder their chances of achieving such success.

As it stands currently, Chelsea sit atop the Premier League with 22 points and a 7-1-0 record.

The Blues have a golden opportunity to widen their gap when second-place Manchester United visits this Sunday—18 points with a 6-0-2 record.

With Manchester City—third place at 5-3-0—looking a shell of the team that won the league last season, the Red Devils stand as the only true obstacle between Chelsea and their return to league glory.

However, if the Blues slip up, it could be the first of many dominoes waiting to fall.

Here are five problems that the Blues might face this season.

1. Champions League Hangover

You see it all the time in sports.

Team XYZ makes an improbable championship run one year, then falls flat on their faces the next year.

Chelsea can attest to that feeling during this year’s Champions League.

After slaying Goliath on more than one occasion on their way to lifting up the Champions League trophy for the first time in club history, the team has barely looked pedestrian halfway through the group stage.

After three matches, Chelsea have only mustered four points out of a possible nine and have a 1-1-1 record. They currently sit in second place in Group G.

The Blues started their campaign off in style with a 2-0 advantage to Juventus after 40 minutes of play. However, sloppy defending saw Chelsea allow the Old Lady to claw their way back for a 2-2 draw.

Next up, the Blues faced an underwhelming Nordsjaelland side.

While the 4-0 final score looked to be the result of a comfortable victory, it was anything but.

Chelsea battled with a 1-0 lead for 79 minutes before a David Luiz goal off of a free kick opened the flood gates. The Blues withstood more than a couple scoring opportunities by the opposition, thanks to sensational play from goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Then on Tuesday, the Blues were lucky to escape with only a 2-1 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk. On any other day, the score might have been 5-1 or even worse. Again, Cech kept the Blues in the game for as long as he could.

With the other two teams in the group still without a win, Chelsea still look to be in solid shape.

However, one has to wonder if this lackluster play will soon carry on to their league fixtures.

2. Lack of Striker Depth

Seems like everyone is heading for the exit door these days at Stamford Bridge.

With the Blues nearly sending off reserve striker Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool during the summer window, the move seems likely to happen during the January window.

Combine that with the offseason departure of Didier Drogba and Romelu Lukaku off on loan, and Chelsea are awfully thin at the No. 9 position.

Just how thin are they? As thin as Fernando Torres and nobody else.

With a recent spell of disappointment seeming to have passed him by, Chelsea have managed to do quite fine with just the 28-year-old Spanish international.

However, questions remain on just how long the Blues can keep this up.

Torres has started every single one of Chelsea’s 14 matches this season. Furthermore, he has played the full 90 minutes in all but three of them.

It’s a strong possibility that the former Liverpool striker will burn out soon.

Then what?

The Blues could flirt with a false-nine formation similar to that implemented by Vicente Del Bosque and the Spain national team.

However, the most likely solution is to bring in some new strikers during the January window.

Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao, Newcastle United’s Demba Ba and Napoli’s Edinson Cavani are all possible candidates.

3. Outside Distractions

Where to start.

It seems almost every month that a Chelsea player is making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Whether it is John Terry, Ashley Cole or Ryan Bertrand, they've put the team under intense scrutiny as of late.

Terry has been in the headlines for almost a year now following allegations of racial abuse against QPR defender Anton Ferdinand. The Blues' captain was taken to trial this past July, however, he was eventually acquitted of the charge on July 13. On July 27 the FA responded by charging Terry and handing out a subsequent four-match ban.

While the matter seems to be drawing to a close—both Rio and Anton Ferdinand have agreed to shake Terry’s hand—it has caused Chelsea tremendous negative press and left manager Roberto Di Matteo spending nearly a quarter of every presser deflecting questions on the issue.

Cole didn't make matters any easier.

Following the FA's charge of Terry in July, the Blues' fullback took to Twitter to let his anger out. His rant ended by calling the FA a "Bunch of T****". He too would face a FA charge and disciplinary actions from the club.

Since then, Bertrand has also made waves on Twitter.

One wonders what can be next?

Whatever it is, it doesn't bode well for Chelsea and their play on the field. 

4. The Possible Departures of Terry and Cole

While John Terry and Ashley Cole may both provide costly distractions off of the pitch, there’s no arguing the significant impact they both have on it.

Since 2006 the pair have combined to anchor a formidable back line for the Blues.

This January, they may be preparing joint goodbyes to Stamford Bridge.

After rejecting a one-year extension earlier this season, Cole is considering a move away from England. His contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and Cole believes he deserves more than a one-year obligation from a club.

Terry—whose contract also expires at the end of the season—is facing a similar plight. News of a potential move to Valencia broke late Wednesday night.

While seeing this Chelsea pair depart London is a sight almost unbelievable to most fans, it stands a real possibility of happening.

If it does, it’s a move that will likely leave the Blues’ defense in shambles.

With the duo gone, Chelsea would be left with Gary Cahill and Ryan Bertrand as suitable replacements. But after them there’s not much else.

While Cahill has proven to be a worthy backup—he played excellently in place of Terry in last season’s Champions League final—Bertrand isn’t fully there yet.

The process could ultimately slow down Chelsea’s progress and cost the club significant points.

5. Hazard's Slow Down in Play

Eden Hazard got off to a blistering start to the season.

After scoring in his first appearance for the Blues—an exhibition match against the MLS’ Seattle Sounders—Hazard registered one goal and four assists during the first three league games.

With a penalty win also to his credit, Hazard had directly contributed to seven of Chelsea’s eight goals through the first three games.

While Chelsea have continued their stellar play since, Hazard’s has dipped off somewhat.

In 10 games since, Hazard only has a goal and two assists.

It could have something to do with his positioning on the pitch.

Hazard prefers to play in the center of the midfield, however, he has been forced out wide due to Mata’s great form as of late.

Don’t get me wrong, the 21-year-old Belgian midfielder has still played well on the wing. However, it would be nice for Hazard to regain that extra boost of energy he seemed to possess in the opening month of play.