Chelsea’s defence was their strong point earlier this season, but now it’s 6 games without a clean sheet and we’re looking leaky at the back.
Benoit Badiashile came in today, but the Blues didn’t look any more solid.
Mauricio Pochettino was asked for his thoughts on that after the game, and responded that “we need to be more focused and concentrated.”
He lamented the “easy” goals his team conceded today. He took the emphasis off the defenders, and noted it was the “worst game of the season” all around.
You can see the manager’s response in the clip embedded here:
It’s well past time that we recognize Thiago Silva is too old and slow to play in a back four. He was fine when we played three center-backs because he had the cover centrally of a younger, faster man on either side, but we can’t expect to keep clean sheets with him featuring in a back four (especially when we no longer have the likes of Kante shielding the back line).
Additionally, Robert Sanchez is not nearly good enough to feature as a Chelsea #1 GK. Even Brighton had decided he wasn’t up to being a first choice keeper so it’s baffling why we thought we knew better.
Finally, is there anyone who believes Cucurella is up to the task at LB? He looked better for a run of games, including a tenacious performance against City, but do we really have confidence in him? I sure don’t!