3 reasons why Chelsea have lost so many matches this season

3. Forwards not contributing enough defensively

The Chelsea forwards have not contributed enough defensively. They usually do not press the opposition defenders much, and are not used to falling back to the middle third either.

As a result, Chelsea have often lacked in numbers in the middle third, and their opponents have taken advantage of that. Both Higuain and Pedro are on the wrong side of 30, and not very comfortable dropping down very frequently.

Moreover, Eden Hazard prefers to stay in the wing and cut in from there, but avoids his defensive duties sometimes. Also, Chelsea's front line concedes possession too easily at times, and do not press immediately after that. That is in stark contrast with a team like Barcelona, whose forwards press very high to win the ball back.

Barcelona have also been playing a 4-3-3 for more than a decade now, but their high-press allows them to retain the ball more frequently in the final third.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee