How the other side sees it: Chelsea (A) - Wonky shapes and shaky plates

 

Answering the questions: Chelsea fan Ben Clark.


How's the mood at Chelsea so far this season and what are your thoughts on your start?

It does feel like we're standing on some shaky plates and things could start to break.

Thomas Tuchel was vocal in his unhappiness with the squad during pre-season and it's clear to understand why after our first three games.

Our best performance has been against Tottenham, but we've shown in the past we can always turn up for games against them, even when we don't feel like turning up for the others.

We looked uninspired in our first game against Everton and credit to Jesse Marsch and Leeds, they fully deserved their win against us last weekend.

Are Chelsea easier to play against without a recognised striker?

I think ever since Tuchel arrived, he has struggled to get our attacking players to work cohesively which is a bigger problem than whether we have a striker or not.

We've looked better against teams who play a higher defensive line because we have the pace to get in behind but we sometimes struggle with low blocks (which is why Romelu Lukaku was brought in, and as we know, that turned out terrifically).

I think there's a brewing general agreement between Chelsea fans that Kai Havertz isn't good enough to be our starting striker.

Is there a particularly bad feeling towards Leicester after the FA Cup final and Champions League race or have you got bigger fish to fry?

Honestly, I don't feel like there is. We have such a strong dislike for Tottenham, that there isn't much left to give other teams.

Does anyone in the Leicester team worry you, and why?

I think most Chelsea fans are terrified of Youri Tielemans whenever he gets the ball in shooting distance. James Maddison is a dangerous player and someone who can cause us trouble from set pieces.

Our defensive shape has been a bit wonky at times this season, so the pace of Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka could prove problematic for us.

From the outside looking in, are you surprised about most Leicester fans wanting Brendan Rodgers sacked?

I am because of how much success he has brought you.

But then again, as a Chelsea fan, I'm fully aware that past achievements don't count for much if you're not getting results in the moment.


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Che for Mara and the threat of revolution: Leicester City 1 Southampton 2 (20 August 2022)