Attacks down the left side
Over 38% of Chelsea attacks have come from the left side of the pitch this season. With the left side only managing 32% and the central area’s only raking up 31%, the left wing has been Chelsea’s focal attacking point. This shows the level that Eden Hazard has stepped up to this season, becoming the spear head in any Chelsea attack. In the years under Di Matteo and Villas-Boas, Chelsea looked over reliant on Juan Mata as he soon became one of Chelsea’s most important players. I feared this season we may experience a similar issue with Hazard growing into one of the finest players in the Premier League. The current side however does have a greater balance when compared to previous years, with players such as Matic and Fabregas stepping up when needed, it has brought the best out of Eden Hazard. After signing a new long term contract this season, Chelsea fans can expect to see more of the same from Chelsea for the foreseeable future.
Average number of fouls in a game
Chelsea currently average around ten fouls a game. With a large number of fouls during one game, many will look straight to the defence as culprits. In a Jose Mourinho side however, it has been well documented on his defensive demands. The defensive work from the likes of Willian and Oscar often goes unnoticed and unrewarded. They aren’t going to be making the body on the line blocks that we see so often from Cahill and Terry but they do prevent a number of potentially dangerous counter attacks. Their presence when defending can be invaluable at times, although it isn’t pretty it gives the team a chance to regain their focus and shape.
Total number of Penalties given
Chelsea have one of the lowest number of penalties in the Premier League, the Blues have only had two penalties awarded to them all season. The penalties came against Arsenal and Queen’s Park Rangers respectively, Eden Hazard converted both. A statistic that has been spoken about widely across the Premier League after suggestions from Jose Mourinho of ‘a campaign against Chelsea’. The Chelsea boss has spoken angrily towards the media after his side have been denied of a number of dubious decisions. Regardless of the outcome of the Premier League, whether it be Chelsea or Manchester City that are eventually crowned Champions, it will be something that has over shadowed this season.
Clean sheets
Between the two goalkeepers, Chelsea have currently kept a total of twelve clean sheets in the Premier League. This is something that Jose Mourinho may look to improve next season. Jose Mourinho sides are notoriously known for being well organised tactically and defensively, so conceding goals and a number of them is not something he will be happy about. Chelsea’s defence has come under scrutiny this season after conceding three away to Everton, five away to Tottenham and famously four at home to Bradford. Despite John Terry recently signing a new contract, Chelsea are continuously linked with central defenders such as Miranda and Raphael Varane. After Gary Cahill’s mid- season blip, a new central defender may be the next big signing.
Top Goal scorer
Diego Costa, 19. The Spaniard has been fundamental to Chelsea’s charge towards the title this season. Since Didier Drogba left the club back in 2012, Chelsea struggled to replace the iconic free scoring forward. No Chelsea player has scored more than fifteen goals in a single season since the 2009/10 season when Drogba netted twenty nine times. A regular goal scorer has been one of the more noticeable downfalls of the Blue’s over recent years. Upon signing Diego Costa, Mourinho stated he was a striker with a “killer instinct”. Costa’s presence in the opponent’s penalty area has been major talking point this season, despite his aggressive nature on the field he has been made a huge impact at Stamford Bridge.
