Chelsea have been through a few iterations this season, but we keep coming back to the same excuses and same problems.
The idea that we’re so bad because there are so many new players is starting to fade, as the months go by. Last season’s excuse that the dressing room was too crowded can also be chalked off now.
Even the injuries are in the rear view mirror by now. Yes we’ve still got some players out, but no more than any other team in the league at this point.
One constant remains – missing chances. We’ve defended well at times, we’ve defended badly at times. We’ve created well at times, we’ve created little at times. But the lack of clinical attacking has haunted us constantly.
Just look at what captain Reece James said in the wake of yesterday’s defeat:
“To win games you need to take chances. We had lots in the first half and a couple in the second. We created a lot, but we weren’t clinical in taking our chances. They took a couple of theirs,” he said in quotes on the club website.
“We knew Manchester United are an amazing team and coming here would be hard. They didn’t surprise us. It’s tough to say why we lost, but we have to move on.”
You can almost feel the frustration seeping through – and no wonder. In his 45 minutes on the pitch he bent in several great crosses which just needed touch – but none arrived.
