West Bromwich Albion might have deserved to win with how they played in the 2nd half but, Chelsea were extremely lucky with the draw. As Jose Mourinho pointed out, there is one team deserving to win and it was Chelsea although the game ended in a draw. The Blues’ mentality through out the game was on attacking and winning the game with high margin in the scoreline unlike West Brom who defended and waited to counter the Blues. Let’s analyze that and few other points in the latest What We Learned.
The Special one’s luck prevails at Stamford Bridge to save his record-
Jose Mourinho and Chelsea were simply to lucky to escape a rather disappointing and humiliating back to back lose in the premier league. Especially to his former assistant manager Steve Clarke beating Jose and ending the Portuguese’s long standing unbeaten record in the Premier league. It was a late, late penalty awarded by Andre Mariner for a foul on Ramires. Eden Hazard, yesterday’s clear man of the match, then converted the penalty in cool fashion to avoid a defeat in the premier league.
Samuel Eto’o has really found his stride at Chelsea-
We have come to see in the previous two games as to why Jose Mourinho really admires and trusts Samuel Eto’o as one of his favorite players. The Cameroonians hard work ethic has earned his almost all of the goals his gotten at the club so far including the assist he provided to Hazard for the equalizer against Cardiff weeks ago. Eto’o scored the opening goal out of nowhere and it was an incredible thinking and reaction that allowed that to happen. The injury to Fernando Torres is not really affecting the team as of right now but, having two inform strikers is a blessing to Jose Mourinho.
The starting 11 hoodoo needs to be solved quickly-
Jose Mourinho to this point hasn’t figured out his best starting line-up and that is currently affecting the team’s form in domestic competitions. Whether to field Cahill-Terry or Luiz-Terry in defense, Ramires with Mikel or Lampard and who to start on the wings with Oscar the undisputed no. 10 competing with Mata for the spot. It seems the pivot is really a mess and the recent rumors of Jose wanting to snap up Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid when his contract expires next summer or even in January attest to that fact that is really difficult to solve. Lampard is still a great midfield player but, we lacked an influential stopper or someone to dictate the tempo from deep inside the half in midfield. Jose Mourinho will surely know what to do and we should hope for the best.
Andre Schurrle was missed in the attacking 3rd-
As we have noticed in the game, the Blues lacked huge edge going out to the wings and providing crosses and opportunities for Eto’o in the box. Crosses started to get into the box once Juan Mata came on for Oscar in 2nd half and every player almost was in the box to equalize against West Brom at Stamford Bridge. Had the German winger played the game instead of Willian, we could have managed to create some more scoring opportunities as we have had against Manchester City. Willian is great too but, simply Andre Schurrle needs to be starting game with the form he was in till he was benched for the weekend loss at Newcastle.
We might need some investment in the left back spot and in midfield pivot in January-
Rumors spread news of attacking 3rd players or strikers Chelsea are looking to sign in January but, the place we need investment in is the pivot midfield area and the left back spot. Ashley Cole isn’t as good as he was in going forward and exploiting the spaces as he was. Ryan Bertrand might not be ready for the starting place so, we need a world class left back to challenge the young English man for the spot for the upcoming seasons. Players like Coentrao, Leighton Baines, Luke Shaw, Adriano of Barcelona are to be looked at for that position. And when it comes to the pivot, it would be perfect to have some one like Alonso to be a play maker from deep inside as Lampard is past his prime soon after this season and won’t be a reliable option for the role. A ‘Pirlo’ type of player next to the hard working, ‘Makelele’ type will be perfect for the pivot. We have a Makelele in Ramires and Jose might figure something out on who to play next to him. Maybe a formation change away from the 4-2-3-1 might do some wonders for Jose’s team but, we will see as the season progresses.
We should hope the team will get back into winning ways in the premier league after the international break and for our players to return safe from the trip. For now, keep the comments coming on what you though is missing from this piece and what you agree or don’t agree with.
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