It’s too early to say which team will win the Premier League trophy at the end of this season. The first reason is the map of competition in the top 3 of the Premier League. The gap in points between Chelsea, which is currently in first place with 2nd place (Manchester City) and 3rd place (Liverpool) is not so wide. Margin points between teams can allow changes to the team that ranks first.
Chelsea’s defeat of West Ham (2-3) will be able to open a new face in the first place of the Premier League standings. Man City could have a chance to be in first place if they win against Watford. The second reason is about the course of the competition. The Premier League competition has just entered its 15th week. There are still many games to play. Also, various possibilities could occur.
Apart from these two reasons, one that can interfere with Chelsea’s path to the championship ladder is the problem of injury. Injuries often disrupt the team’s consistency as well as an initial challenge for Thomas Tuchel. West Ham is not just any opponent. However, West Ham’s performance was not too good in the last two games. On paper, Tuchel’s troops can overcome the foster children of David Moyes.
Apparently, Moyes knew and realized when dealing with Chelsea. His team played more defensively, and looked for flaws to counterattack. So far, although Chelsea is haunted by player injuries, Tuchel is able to keep the mentality of the players on a positive path. Tuchel does not seem to complain about the injury conditions that befell some of Tuchel’s mainstay players.
However, the effects of player injuries will be difficult to avoid. Sooner or later the team’s performance can also be lame. Previously, Tuchel was dealing with injuries to the strikers. After Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner started to slowly return to the squad, Tuchel was faced with players in midfield. Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante had to be sidelined due to injury.
Kovacic and Kante are two hard-working players in the Chelsea midfield. Kante is probably already popular for his role in Chelsea’s midfield. Kovacic seems to be Tuchel’s secret weapon. Tuchel’s decision to buy Kovacic permanently from Real Madrid paid off completely. Kovacic stepped out of the shadow of Kante and Jorginho’s prowess in Chelsea’s midfield.
Kovacic became one of the mainstays of Tuchel’s style of play. The ball control and hard-working mentality in Chelsea’s midfield made Kovacic one of Chelsea’s most important players. However, bad luck is difficult to avoid. Kovacic suffered an injury while training with the team. Because of this, Chelsea must be without the presence of Ben Chilwell, Kante and Kovacic. These three players have contributed greatly to Tuchel this season.
West Ham’s style of bus parking made it difficult for Chelsea. Interestingly, Chelsea always take advantage of set pieces. The first goal was proof of Chelsea’s efforts to take advantage of set pieces. Chelsea’s first goal did not last long. West Ham hit back for Chelsea’s first goal from the penalty spot.
Chelsea had taken the lead before half-time through M. Mount (44th minute). However, West Ham, who plays in front of their fans, always tries to find fault with Chelsea’s agility. As a result, West Ham managed to create 2 goals in the 2nd half as well as being the home team’s advantage over Chelsea. Chelsea also lost 2-3 to West Ham.
For the first time, Chelsea have conceded 3 goals in the Premier League this season. Despite controlling the game, Chelsea was helpless under the solidity of West Ham. Crosses from both sides of Chelsea’s game were very difficult to beat the West Ham rearguard. On the other hand, West Ham are always looking for space to counterattack.
This defeat is a very valuable lesson for Chelsea. Injuries to mainstay players are a stumbling block. When the mainstay players who often make changes in the team are absent from the team, at that time the team’s situation becomes difficult. It looks like Tuchel is missing the people who made the difference to Chelsea’s pattern of play.
Kante and Kovacic are regarded as two figures from the midfield who have contributed greatly to Chelsea. The absence of these two players can be seen in the pattern of Chelsea’s game that is not insistent. Moreover, Kante or Kovacic sometimes contribute in the form of goals. This has become less than the match against West Ham. This is also a lesson from Tuchel in dealing with Chelsea’s injury problems until these players return from injury.
Injuries to mainstay players are a challenge for Tuchel in the future. The match against West Ham was a valuable lesson in dealing with a team situation when the mainstay players were absent due to injury.
ASL
