Chelsea secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Leicester City to maintain their position as serious contenders in the Premier League title race.
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The win kept the Blues in third place, level on points with Arsenal and Brighton and just one point adrift of Manchester City. However, questions remain about their ability to compete at the highest level due to glaring defensive issues and underwhelming performances from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
The west London club has shown significant improvement under new manager Enzo Maresca, bouncing back from disappointing finishes in the last two seasons. Yet, despite their strong start, Chelsea has kept only two clean sheets in their first 12 league matches, raising concerns about their backline’s stability.
Deeney’s Verdict
Former Watford captain Troy Deeney weighed in on Chelsea’s prospects during an appearance on talkSPORT, highlighting their defensive fragility as a major concern. “Chelsea should be in the title race,” Deeney said. “But their goalkeeper and defenders keep allowing poor goals. That could cost them crucial points.”
He added that the team’s inability to close out matches comfortably is a sign of deeper issues. “This should have been a routine 2-0 or even 3-0 win against Leicester. But defensive lapses made it unnecessarily close.”
Makeshift Backline
Chelsea’s defensive struggles have been exacerbated by injuries to key players. Right-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto are sidelined, forcing center-back Wesley Fofana to cover on the flank. Levi Colwill played through illness, further underlining the fragility of the current setup.
Despite these challenges, Maresca has stuck with Robert Sanchez as his first-choice goalkeeper. The Spaniard, however, has faced criticism for several costly errors this season. Danish backup Filip Jorgensen, a summer signing, has impressed in limited cup appearances but has yet to displace Sanchez in the league.
January Reinforcements Needed
With the January transfer window approaching, Chelsea may need to explore defensive reinforcements if they are to remain in the title hunt. Although the club has spent over £300 million assembling their current defensive roster, the lack of depth and form in crucial positions threatens to derail their campaign.
What’s Next?
While Chelsea remains in contention, six points behind league leaders Liverpool, their defensive frailties leave them vulnerable in a highly competitive season. Deeney believes that unless the club strengthens its squad in January, a top-four finish might be a more realistic target than a title push.
The coming weeks will test Chelsea’s resilience as they aim to address their weaknesses and solidify their place among the Premier League’s elite.
