4 Issues behind Chelsea's struggles this season

1. The Jorginho effect

Jorginho has struggled in recent matches

If there's a player that Maurizio Sarri should be starting a war with, it is Jorginho. The midfielder has been the weak link in this Chelsea side - he is arguably to blame for some of Chelsea's struggles this season. Oddly, the manager keeps retaining him in the starting eleven, and this is causing more harm than good to Chelsea. Jorginho can hardly tackle, score or even provide an assist. Surprisingly, the manager keeps playing Jorginho at the deeper role instead of Kante.

His lack of aggressiveness in the middle of the park could be a part of the reason Chelsea have suffered defeats at the hands of Leicester, Wolves, Arsenal and Tottenham (twice). N’golo Kante, the best defensive midfielder in the world by far has been deployed in a more advanced role by his manager; something that has raised eyebrows.

Playing the best defensive midfielder in the world in the wrong position has left Chelsea’s backline exposed on a couple of occasions; as we have previously seen when Jorginho gets overwhelmed by opponents by putting pressure on him. Chelsea have become vulnerable at the back, at times, with Jorginho playing the deeper role, but the manager is sticking to his guns.

Jorginho is a very good player- there is no doubt about that. But having someone like Kante playing alongside him in a 4-2-3-1 would be a better option. Let Kante do what he does best- win possession, put in tackles and give the defense some bit of protection. However, that goes against what Sarri deploys in his style of football.