Chelsea may have signed Romelu Lukaku this summer but it’s at the back where they are starting to look shaky.
The Blues shipped another two sloppy goals against Leeds in their 3-2 win that owed a huge slice of fortune given it came via a stoppage time Jorginho penalty, followed by a sideline bust-up.
“When you play against Leeds you get wild games and you have to accept it,” said Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.
“I liked the first half a lot and the way we found solutions. The result was the result, we gave a cheap penalty away and had to live with it. The speech at half-time was to do it again and not worry about the result.
“We made the game very intense in every position. Once we turned things around in our favour I had a feeling after the last two results [the defeat at West Ham and draw with Zenit] that we did not want to lose it and we did not take the risks anymore.
“Leeds played stronger and stronger and they were taking risks because they had nothing to lose.
“I’m happy we turned it around this time. We had to suffer. We needed this feeling back in the dressing room.”
Tuchel will hope Roman Abramovich wasn’t watching, as the stats show his side are now behind league leaders Manchester City for goals conceded and second-place Liverpool for goals scored.
Chelsea have now drifted out to 29/5 with the best online betting sites in Pakistan to win the Premier League this season.
Cesar Azpilicueta is the only senior defender yet to register a goal this season for Chelsea, however recent form and disciplinary issues have left some questioning the German’s position.
“You look at the way he’s recruited by buying a top striker in Romelu Lukaku, [although] he’s not getting the best out of him at the moment.” said former West Ham midfielder Trevor Sinclair.
“But in general, with the team Frank Lampard built, he’s organised them, he’s made them difficult to beat, and they’ve gone on a run where they’ve been unbelievable”
“You know what Chelsea are like, their footballing model is if the manager is not doing it, get shot and start again”
“I think he’s got a bit of time in the bank but, if it continues to be a bit of a flop in the Premier League, I think questions will be asked and it won’t be long before Chelsea pull the trigger.”
Chelsea’s defensive headache goes further off the pitch – with Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva and Azpilicueta all out of a contract in the summer.
Rudiger reportedly wants to quadruple his salary, which has led to speculation about a move to Real Madrid which could reignite Chelsea’s long-standing interest in Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.
Chelsea drew Lille for a Champions League round-of-16 tie next year, with Tuchel hoping his defence tightens up before then.
Lille have been struggling for form in France this season – they currently sit 12th in Ligue 1.
Jocelyn Gourvennec’s side are clearly saving their best form for the European nights, having only lost one group stage fixture in six.
Chelsea ended their group stage campaign in slightly different form, failing to take three points from Zenit St. Petersburg and succumbing to a last-minute equaliser at home.
This will only add to the confidence of star striker Jonathan David, who boasts an impressive 14 goals already this season.