SLACK AND BLUE
From the toast of Europe after beating Atletico, to successive defeats in the Premier League. Chelsea need to regain their swagger... quickly
TWO weeks ago Chelsea were the toast of their fans, having pulled off the club’s finest European result in years.
A fortnight on, the Blues go into tonight’s Champions League clash against Roma needing victory to prevent a drama turning into a crisis.
That win over Atletico Madrid looked a world away last Saturday, as Antonio Conte’s title holders fell to a monster upset at Crystal Palace.
And Manchester City bossed their match against the west Londoners so much, before the international break, it was frightening. The politics too have re-emerged, with Conte (above) publicly voicing his concerns over the lack of squad depth he warned us about previously. Those shortcomings are starting to bite.
His carefully chosen words yesterday appeared to lay the blame squarely at the feet of the Chelsea board, conveniently forgetting he opted to sell Nathaniel Chalobah and loan out Tammy Abraham. Those tensions, kept in check after a tough summer and seven wins in eight, are threatening to come to the boil again. So while, in theory, tonight’s match looks straight- forward against an injuryravaged Roma side at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea simply cannot afford to slip up. Defender Marcos Alonso (left) summed up the challenge succinctly. “We need to be doing well in this competition and getting closer to what we want,” he said. “Finishing the group as the first team. Then to get back to winning ways in the Premier League.
“We’ve lost a lot of points already. We cannot lose any more games.”
Their rivals, otherwise will smell blood. A confidence will build that, if Palace and Roma cav do it, maybe others can too.
Watford would go to Stamford Bridge on Saturday with an ever greater sense of belief, having seen off Arsenal. Chelsea need the three points tonight. In fact, win home.
and away against the Italians, and they are through to the knockout stages. Lose and, from a position of strength, they will find themselves in danger of joining the Gunners in the Europa League. No wonder there has been no day off after that Selhurst Park shocker. “I’ve seen the team working very well in these couple of days,” Alonso added. “We’ve recovered very well and hopefully we’ll produce a much better game.
“We’ve not had time off. We’ve been recovering and preparing for this. The team are ready.” N’golo Kante remains on the sidelines. The France midfielder won’t be back until next month. Cesc Fabregas will continue to deputise in midfield. Davide Zappacosta will also come in for another of Conte’s hamstring victims, Victor Moses. Michy Batshuayi, however, has had his chance and failed to take it.
Alvaro Morata, only just back from injury, will be thrown straight in, with his movement far superior to Batshuayi’s statuesque display at Selhurst Park, highlighted on Match of the Day by Ian Wright and Gary Lineker.
What a slap in the face for Batshuayi that Conte would rather place faith in his half-fit Italian than a Belgian striker more legendary for his banter on Twitter than his feats on the pitch.
Needs must, however. This is no time to indulge egos with the wheels threatening to come off Chelsea’s season.