Former Chelsea player Craig Burley has revealed what he believes the club must improve if they are to finish in the top four this season.
The Blues have made an impressive start to the season under Enzo Maresca and currently sit fourth with 14 points from a possible 21.
Chelsea are the second highest scorers in the league with 16 goals, one behind Manchester City and have looked very dangerous going forward in the early part of the campaign.
Chelsea must improve defensively
Chelsea’s good start to the season saw Enzo Maresca named Premier League Manager of the Month for September, whilst Cole Palmer scooped the Player of the Month award.
People are starting to take notice of Chelsea, but have rightly pointed they have yet to face a tough test, much like Liverpool, but the run after the international break will show what this team is made of.
Chelsea’s next four league games are Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal, with their results in that run likely to go someone to telling if they are ready to compete for a top four finish.
Getting back into the Champions League has to be the bare minimum this season and whilst they currently sit fourth at this early stage it will still be a tough task.
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Former Blue Burley believes unless the Blues improve defensively then they could struggle to secure a top four finish this season.
“Is Villa’s European exploits enough to take the edge off their Premier League season? And Tottenham are so unpredictable at the moment,” he told ESPN.
“So they have got a chance, they have a chance, but, they have to sort the defensive side of it out if they are going to do that.
“And I think at the moment you have to say Villa, you know, for example, if we think Liverpool, Arsenal Manchester City in any given order, that’s three teams, there’s one more space, then that fourth spot, and Villa at the moment are just a better all-round squad.”
It’s fair to say the Blues do need to improve defensively but there are signs that is happening, but they can’t afford to make sloppy mistakes like they have done in some games this season against the bigger sides otherwise it really will cost them.