It was an extremely disappointing afternoon for Chelsea on Saturday – possibly their worst of the season so far.
It is certainly up there with the defeat to West Ham United. Chelsea had complete control of the game but were unable to make their pressure count against a low-block in Nottingham Forest and the visitors took advantage in the second-half at Stamford Bridge.
Anthony Elanga struck past Robert Sanchez on 48 minutes in what turned out to be the only goal of the game in sunny west London. Chelsea knocked and knocked but ultimately did not create enough clear-cut opportunities in the 90 minutes.
But when they did, particularly Nicolas Jackson late on, the Blues did not take the chances. It left Mauricio Pochettino visibly disappointed on the touchline at full-time in what is his second defeat in four Premier League matches as Chelsea head coach.
While Chelsea fans haven’t turned on Pochettino – they would be silly to given the context – some of them have asked – and rightly so – about the system he is using. The Blues spent the whole of their pre-season tour of the United States using the 4-2-3-1 formation.
Chelsea supporters, at the time, were trying not to get too excited because it was only pre-season but there were so many encouraging signs from the formation the new head coach was using. So it seemed almost inevitable that when Chelsea took on Liverpool in their first Premier League game of the season last month that the Argentine would use the same system.
However, it has been far from that. Pochettino is using three central defenders and for the way Chelsea supporters want to see their team play, with so much attacking talent at disposal, it is being deemed too negative.
Particularly when they come up against teams like Nottingham Forest, who came to defend at Stamford Bridge, at home. There was definitely scope for at least one more attacking-minded player on the pitch in the second period at least.
Now, Pochettino might point towards personnel and who isn’t available due to injuries but Chelsea have a really deep squad with some immense talent. Away at West Ham in the second-half and the whole 90 minutes against Forest felt too negative from the Blues’ point of view when you consider the amount of money they have invested in attacking talent.
Levi Colwill has essentially been playing at left-back and while his passing out from defence has been extraordinary, he doesn’t offer the overlapping runs that Ben Chilwell or Ian Maatsen would if they were back there. Also, the role Chilwell is being used in does not really suit his talents – he is not comfortable enough attacking in the box and the last couple of matches have shown that.
Next up for Chelsea in the Premier League is a trip to Bournemouth. A game, again, that on paper they should win and despite it being away from home, a lot of the club’s fan base would love to see Pochettino be a bit more positive with the team he plays.
Chelsea fans were very impressed by the performance of Moises Caicedo in the first half against Nottingham Forest.
Supporters took to social media to share their positive feelings as the club’s record signing looked as if he has arrived at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are currently being held 0-0 by their opponents in what has been a stop-start first half.
Yellow cards have dominated the affair. Nicolas Jackson, Conor Gallagher and Ben Chilwell have all been booked in the first 45.
However, one positive of the performance has been Caicedo, who is making his second start for the club.
Supporters have taken to Twitter to express their delight at what they have been seeing.
