Last season’s catastrophic defence of the Premier League title by Chelsea was something that all involved with the club will hope to never repeat.
Although reinforcements have indeed been made to improve the squad, the signings of Michy Batshuayi and N’golo Kante hardly seem adequate enough for a team who were porous in defence, static in midfield and ineffective in attack last year. Considering how many players were so shockingly below their standard last year, merely getting them back to what they were will arguably feel like a new arrival. Here are three names who need to step up this in 2016-17.
Eden Hazard
There has been a significant improvement in the form of the Belgian midfielder recently and credit must be given for that considering the fact he drifted into anonymity last season, however, it is still quite short of the form everyone knows he is capable of. At his best, the winger is electrifying, combining speed with an exceptional turn of pace, touch, technical ability and vision – which makes him a right-back’s nightmare. Antonio Conte may have plans for the former Lille player as well, with suggestions that Hazard may have a new role to play this season as No.10 behind the striker. It is a position where he has excelled before, first at Lille throughout his career there and on occasion for Chelsea.
At just 25 and given his talent, if he can make this season his best ever, he is a contender for the Ballon D’or in the immediate future.
Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic is the epitome of what Chelsea were and what they have now become. His best moments in the shirt have coincided with his team’s best form, while his worst periods have simply been a side note to all the inadequacies that were already occurring. Indeed a reference to last season, however, the Serb seemed to run out of steam even before this. From his domineering, imperious early 2014-15 displays, he has sunk into mediocrity and now like Chelsea resembles meekness, is easily outfought and overcome. Signed in January 2014, Matic was the league’s best pivot for around a period of 12 months, then after his team’s 5-3 humbling from Spurs, Chelsea reverted to pragmatism. Matic and Cesc Fabregas’ form seemed to erode after that.
The Serb’s physique, improved shooting, his vastly growing passing range and his eye for a tackle and interception means that Conte can find a way to integrate him with N’golo Kante and make Chelsea’s midfield difficult to bypass again.
Gary Cahill
The Englishman had a claim to being one of the top three center-backs in the top-flight 18 months ago – such was his tremendous start to the 2014-15 campaign at the back with John Terry as his partner. However, an eye injury against Tottenham saw him forced out and he has never been the same again. He makes Chelsea’s defence uncertain and indecisive when it needs to be cohesive and stable. His demise is another indication of the way the game works – when one is at the top of it, the only way is down. It is also a demonstration of how a bad injury can psychologically affect a player and their confidence to the point where they look barely recognizable. With his pace rapidly declining, the impressive Kurt Zouma still there for competition once he is fully fit and Conte’s known admiration for Leonardo Bonucci – all is not rosy for Cahill.
A solid start to the season from Conte’s charges with impressive performances from Cahill, alongside his skipper Terry at the base of the Italian’s foundation, will quickly alleviate those fears.
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