Chelsea’s hopes of making the top four took a hit after a frustrating 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town. One glaring issue seems to be holding them back: their shaky defense. The Blues let in two goals in just the first 31 minutes at Stamford Bridge, showing some real weaknesses at the back. Even though they managed to equalize, it wasn’t enough to keep them in the Champions League spots, and now they’ve dropped to sixth place. Key Problem Threatens Chelsea Star’s Stay.
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On The Weekend Wrap from Optus Sport, former Chelsea player Shaun Wright-Phillips quickly pointed out the team’s defensive issues, blaming the decision to let veteran defender Thiago Silva go. “I don’t think their defense is good enough. Their biggest mistake was letting go of Thiago Silva because he really helped guide those young players,” he said. Wright-Phillips explained that Silva wasn’t just another player; he was a leader who helped the younger defenders stay organized during games. Without him, Chelsea’s defense seems to lack that guidance. Key Problem Threatens Chelsea Star’s Stay.
He also raised concerns about the club’s goalkeeping situation, mentioning that neither of the current keepers are measuring up to what Chelsea needs. “With the keepers they have now, I don’t think they’re up to the task, and they keep conceding,” he noted. He also talked about Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is doing well at Bournemouth, as an example of a tough decision.
Though he gave props to manager Enzo Maresca for establishing a clear style of play for Chelsea, the team’s inconsistency is still a big worry. Former Premier League midfielder Don Hutchison echoed this, stating that despite spending a lot of money, Chelsea’s defense is still pretty weak. “I never feel like Chelsea is a team that’s going to keep clean sheets,” he said, reflecting on their concerning performances during pre-season as an early warning sign.
Hutchison did praise Chelsea’s midfield, particularly Cole Palmer, who he sees as the standout player this season. However, he stressed that Palmer can’t carry the whole team by himself. “Other players need to step up. You can’t keep depending on him to bail them out,” he said. Chelsea’s overreliance on one top player and their failure to address defensive flaws could hurt their goals if things don’t change soon.
