Defeat on Christmas Eve

 Mauricio Pochettino felt the ‘more ruthless’ side came out on top at Molineux, after Chelsea were defeated by Wolves on Christmas Eve.

The Blues were beaten 2-1 at Molineux, with Christopher Nkunku’s first goal in Chelsea blue proving to be in vain following strikes for the home side from Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty resigning us to defeat.

Chelsea created a number of chances, especially in the first 45 minutes, but were unable to break through Jose Sa in the Wolves goal and, according to our head coach, that allowed the hosts to come back into the tie and, ultimately, claim the three points.

‘Of course, we feel very disappointed,’ Pochettino assessed. ‘I think we deserve much more than we got but we cannot hide from the fact that in a competition as strong as the Premier League, if you are not clinical then you cannot complain [at the result].

‘We created a lot of chances in the first half but did not score. We dominated the possession and didn’t allow a single shot on target from Wolves in the first half, so I think we should have gone in at half-time with a different score.

‘In the second half, we conceded a few corners and then allowed Wolves to take the lead. They were more clinical and that is why the result is as it is.’

The head coach was pleased to see Nkunku on the scoresheet…

‘I’m very pleased to see Nkunku score and it shows how important he can be for us,’ Pochettino said of the French international. 

 

Another Setback for The Blues

Reece James posts injury update from hospital bed after hamstring surgery

Chelsea skipper Reece James posted an update on his hamstring injury after successfully undergoing surgery on Thursday.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The English full-back suffered yet another hamstring injury during Chelsea's 2-0 defeat against Everton earlier this month. The player has been plagued with hamstring problems throughout his career and as a result finally decided to go under the knife.

After his surgery, James posted an update about his condition while revealing that he has received more hate than support after picking up yet another knock.

WHAT JAMES SAID

The 24-year-old posted a photo of himself in the hospital bed on Instagram with the caption" "The footballing world knew I got injured but the procedure I would go down this time took slightly longer to figure out the best solution. I had surgery today to try fix my reoccurring hamstring issue, the recovery has started, both physically and mentally. Since this injury I’ve had a good amount of support but significantly more hate and negativity. Believe me I don’t wanna be injured, I’m happiest when I’m playing football. Thanks to the understanding people that support me despite the highs or the lows, it goes a long way. Stay well, Reece."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Blues were initially hesitant to send their captain for surgery as they wanted to further assess his condition before taking the ultimate step. The player, though, finally went through with the process in order to avoid long-term issues with the muscle, but is now expected to remain out of action for close to three to four months.

Chelsea reach semifinal EFL Cup

 

Chelsea survive scare to reach Carabao Cup semi-finals after beating Newcastle on penalties

Chelsea survived a scare at Stamford Bridge to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals by defeating Newcastle United on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Callum Wilson gave the Magpies an early lead before Mykhailo Mudryk equalised in stoppage time to send the match to a shoot out on Tuesday night, which the home side won 4-2.

Though both sides have been ravaged by injuries this season, each named strong starting XIs, with Newcastle defender Sven Botman notably starting for the first time in three months after recovering from a knee injury.

And straight from kick-off it was evident that it would be an intense affair, with Moises Caicedo booked within two minutes for a nasty foul on Anthony Gordon, which could well have been a red card had VAR been in operation.

Newcastle who took the lead, with Wilson capitalising on a Benoit Badiashile mistake, after the defender had initially won the ball off the England striker, to lop Dorde Petrovic.

However in the end, it took another defensive error to generate a goal, after Kieran Trippier’s attempt to head back to his keeper went all wrong and allowed Mykhailo Mudryk to pounce and smash home an equaliser in stoppage time.

The Blues had chance after chance to equalise before the break, with Raheem Sterling coming close twice in the space of two minutes – first shooting wide from a tight angle before having an effort blocked on the line by Bruno Guimaraes.

Chelsea were faultless from the penalty spot, courtesy of Cole Palmer, Gallagher, Nkunku and Mudryk, but the same could not be said for the away team.

First Back to Back home wins since October 2022 vs Sheffield united

 

CHELSEA 2-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED: COLE PALMER AND NICOLAS JACKSON GIVE BLUES MUCH-NEEDED WIN OVER STRUGGLING BLADES

Goals from Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson eased the pressure on Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino as the Blues picked up a valuable 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge. The first half saw the Blades frustrate their opponents but the second 45 saw Chelsea finally break their opponents' resolve to end a recent run of defeats and move up to 10th in the Premier League.

Cole Palmer scored one and set up another as Chelsea managed a second successive home victory, defeating bottom-club Sheffield United.

In a very poor first half, The Blades were very comfortable keeping the Blues at bay but Palmer took the game by the scruff of the neck after the break.

Nine minutes into the second half, he set up Raheem Sterling on the right and then raced into the box to convert home from close range for the opener. Seven minutes later, when most in the box had stopped playing, Palmer took advantage of an error from Wes Foderingham to square for Nicholas Jackson to tap home the second goal.

The lead should have been extended when Armando Broja diverted the ball wide of the target from two yards out after more classy work from the former Manchester City forward.

The win takes the Blues up to 10th in the table, while the Blades remain marooned at the bottom.

Match Highlights

Chelsea have won consecutive Premier League home games for the first time since a run of three in October 2022, more such victories than in their previous 14 at Stamford Bridge (W1 D7 L6).

Having won their first three Premier League games against Chelsea, Sheffield United have lost six of their last eight in the competition against the Blues (W1 D1), conceding at least twice in each defeat.

Poch really disappoint

 

Pochettino hints at further signings in January

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Mauricio Pochettino has called for improvements to be made to his Chelsea squad in the next transfer window after suffering another Premier League defeat at the hands of a resurgent Everton.

Abdoulaye Doucoure’s second-half strike put the Toffees ahead before youngster Lewis Dobbin scored his first Premier League goal to seal the victory in added time.

It is the fifth time this season that Chelsea have failed to find the net in a league game and Pochettino said his side’s goalscoring issues will need to be addressed in the upcoming January window if his current group cannot start converting their chances.

“Football is about scoring goals and we were not clinical in front of goal,” he told BBC MOTD.

“I’m really, really disappointed. We didn’t get the point we deserved. I think we were better but we didn’t get what we wanted.

“This was a game to play and to win. It’s a problem we need to check. We need to analyse the reality. We need to talk and to try and improve in the next transfer market.”

In his press conference, Pochettino also added: “This was a game to win. It’s a problem we need to check. We need to talk and to try and improve in the next transfer market,” he said.

“We are dealing with this. After five months, or the first half of the season, we need to check and that’s the reality. If we are not aggressive enough maybe we need to do something.

“Our reality now is mid-table and if we want to go up we have to push ourselves. When the transfer window opens (we will) see what we can do.

“I’m not saying I’m going to ask for more players or less players but it is to see if perception matches reality.

“It is a new project, a new team with too many circumstances against us. That’s the reality, too many problems and circumstances from the beginning of the season.

“It’s not as easy to build something new, that is why it is about being strong in that we assess and be clever and take decisions to try to improve in the second part of the season, to be more competitive and get the results a club like Chelsea deserves.”

Nkunku returns

 

Chelsea boosted by return of 'difference-maker'

The wait is almost over for the Blues' £52million summer signing, who looks ready to make up for lost time.

After Christopher Nkunku returned to first-team training this week, the £52million summer signing is closing in on a long-awaited competitive debut for Chelsea.

Nkunku has missed the first three months of the season with a knee injury, but is said to have looked sharp in training. Mauricio Pochettino is due to provide an update on Friday afternoon on whether the forward will be in his squad for the Blues’ trip to Newcastle on Saturday.

Nkunku is unlikely to be thrown straight in with a start at St James’ Park, but Pochettino knows he could be a difference-maker from the bench as he is eased back to full fitness.

His absence has been keenly felt by Chelsea, who have missed his goals. There was a collective sharp intake of breath in pre-season when Nkunku went down under challenge from Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels on a dreadful pitch in Chicago, which had hosted an Ed Sheeran concert a few days before.

Scans revealed that he needed surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee and his injury was a major blow on the eve of the new season. Before his injury, Nkunku had looked ready-made to become a Stamford Bridge star.

The 26-year-old France international impressed during pre-season, scoring three goals in five appearances playing on the wing, up front and as a No10.

Nkunku is Back 

Unlike an inexperienced Jackson, Nkunku is unlikely to be fazed by the pressure at Chelsea, having made nearly 300 top-fight appearances at Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig.

'I don't recognize my club'

 'I don't recognize my club' - Didier Drogba slams Chelsea owner Todd Boehly for 'unintelligent' approach since taking over from Roman Abramovich

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba criticized co-owner Todd Boehly's decision-making since acquiring the club from Roman Abramovich.

The iconic former striker believes Chelsea have fundamentally changed for the worse under Boehly, and he claimed that the American has focused too much on young players while building a bloated squad.

“I don’t recognize my club," Drogba told Canal+. "It’s no longer the same club. There is a new owner and a new vision. Of course, we try to compare it with what happened during the [Roman] Abramovich era where a lot of players were brought in, but the decisions were very intelligent.

"Bringing in players like Petr Cech, Andriy Shevchenko, Herman Crespo, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, and I go on. It was done to win titles. They are players with a certain experience. The strategy is now different; we bet on young players. But a dressing room of over 30 players is difficult [to manage] for a manager.”

Drogba added that the Blues "lack charismatic leaders" who can handle difficult stretches and guide team-mates in the right direction.

"You need players that take on the game, that assume their responsibilities," he explained. "You need a player that brings a bit of madness to the stadium.”