5 Chelsea Weaknesses Other Teams Can Expose in 2014/15 Season
Chelsea have started the 2014-15 season in perfect fashion, remaining unbeaten in all competitions and sitting three points clear at the top of the Premier League. The deficiencies of last season, which saw them finish third behind Manchester City and Liverpool, were addressed in the summer, and it looks like the Blues could be virtually unstoppable.
However, there are a few areas that opposition teams would do well to take note of if they are looking for weaknesses to exploit.
1. High Defensive Line
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Swansea City found out that sitting deep against Chelsea can pay dividends.
They began their visit to Stamford Bridge with a flat midfield and back line, which meant that the Blues struggled to find reference points for their pressing.
Consequently, the Swans were able to exploit the space that the high line left behind them, and they managed to take the lead for much of the first half.
However, Jose Mourinho addressed this issue at half-time, and the Blues went on to win 4-2.
They have displayed the same lackadaisical approach to leaving space behind them in subsequent games, but those incidents have been few and far between.
In any case, it is still something to watch out for.
2. Set Pieces
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Like virtually every other team in the world, Chelsea's defending of set pieces has looked comical at times.
Despite the height advantage afforded by the likes of John Terry, Nemanja Matic and Gary Cahill, Chelsea still have a lot of shorter players who are called on to defend, which weakens them in the air.
Overloading their defensive line allows players to slip their markers, leaving Thibaut Courtois exposed in goal.
Chelsea are yet to find a replacement for Ashley Cole, who could always be found in the right place at the right time, usually hooking balls away from the goal line at the last second.
Winning set pieces on the edge of the box is one sure-fire way of putting the frighteners on the Blues defence.
3. Diego Costa's Temper
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Mourinho made a point of complaining about the bookings that Diego Costa picked up in his first two games for the club, per Sky Sports.
The striker has a reputation as a hothead, and although his aggression has worked in the team's favour thus far, Chelsea could find themselves without the services of their favoured striker if he is rubbed up the wrong way.
4. Full-Backs
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The attacking play of Chelsea's full-backs has been critical to the team's recent success. The preferred pair have already picked up two goals and an assist between them this season.
Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta both spend more time in the attacking half than in their own, and this can leave the Blues exposed on the counter.
Theoretically, the attacking midfielders should track back to cover, but this is often not the case and has left several opportunities for the opposition to exploit the exposed defence.
5. Injuries
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If all else fails, the only remaining option is for Chelsea’s opponents to exploit the well-documented physical weaknesses in some key players.
John Terry has had persistent issues with his back over the years, per BBC Sport, and a well-timed nudge in the air could sideline the captain for a significant time.
Likewise, Diego Costa’s hamstring troubles have been no secret.
While it would be completely out of keeping with the spirit of the game to intentionally injure an opponent, it could be the only sure way of stopping the Blues this season.
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