Chelsea have started life under Maurizio Sarri well and are slowly getting to grips with the Italian’s style of play.
Sarrismo is a stark contrast to the defensive style implemented by Antonio Conte last season but Chelsea have shown early signs of making it work in the Premier League.
The Blues are currently fourth in the league after 17 games with 11 wins including one over defending champions Manchester City – who were unbeaten at the time.
Chelsea are also in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and reached the last-32 of the Europa League with ease.
But Sarri’s side are not without their problems. The Blues have lost twice so far this season, a humiliating 3-1 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur and 2-1 reverse away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
There are also some minor cracks still showing in Chelsea’s Sarrismo system, as is to be expected after just five months, though that does not mean they should be ignored.
With the start of the January transfer window closing in, the Blues have already been linked with a number of players to boost their squad.
So where may Chelsea be looking to strengthen, and how should they go about doing so? Read on to see our verdict.
Left-back
Why is it an issue?
Marcos Alonso was a very good wing-back for Chelsea in the two years under Antonio Conte, with his attacking mentality vital in the Blues’ push up the pitch.
The Spaniard directly contributed to 18 Premier League goals across the two seasons with five assists and 13 goals of his own including a number of free-kicks.
But now, having been asked to be a more conventional full-back as part of a back four, Alonso’s defensive weaknesses have been exposed.
Alonso loves to get forward, that’s his game. But so often this season he has been easy fodder for right-wingers, leaving Chelsea exposed at the back.
On the counter, the Blues backline have often had to shift over to fill the gap left by Alonso, leaving space open on the opposing wing or in the middle of the pitch which some teams – most notably Tottenham Hotspur have exposed.
Sarri has another option at left-back, Emerson, but appears to have little faith with the Italian being restricted to sporadic cup appearances.
On these occasions Emerson has staked his claim, though without doing anything overly spectacular to replace Alonso as the starting left-back.
Can it be done without spending money?
Emerson should be given more opportunities to prove his ability for Sarri, giving Alonso some rest in the Premier League which could also show there are consequences to poor performances.
But, if Sarri is opposed to doing that, the Blues may need to dip into the transfer market this January.
Real Betis left-back Junior Firpo has been linked with a number of Europe’s top clubs this season and could be someone on Chelsea’s radar if they are serious about fixing their problems.
Key stat: Marcos Alonso has won just 55.88% of his duels in the Premier League this season.
Striker
Why is it an issue?
At the end of their pre-season, Chelsea had four strikers in contention to lead the line under Sarri this season. Come the close of the summer transfer window, they had two.
Michy Batshuayi and Tammy Abraham were sent on loan, leaving Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud as the only recognised strikers in the first team. The problem is, neither has truly taken their place with force.
Morata may have hit some form recently, with four goals in four games during October and November, but the Spaniard is still some way off the level required.
The Spaniard is largely ineffective for a lot of time in matches and still looks unable to deal with the physical aspects of the game, going down far too easily, looking for fouls without luck.
Morata has also struggled with confidence, due to off-pitch issues, as a result of which the forward has admitted he has sought help from a psychologist but it is hurting Chelsea at the moment.
His alternative, Giroud, looks to be unfavoured by Sarri of late, though he does add the target man presence Chelsea have missed while Morata is on the pitch. But the Frenchman only scored his first league goal of the season during the defeat to Spurs, on his 10th appearance.
Giroud has been impressive in the Europa League but Chelsea need someone to dominate the line in the Premier League with the capability of keeping pace with Sarrismo.
Can it be done without spending money?
At Napoli, Sarri moved winger Dries Mertens into a central position and played him as a false nine. After initially putting his faith in Giroud and Morata, Sarri finally succumbed and played Eden Hazard as a false nine in Chelsea’s past two Premier League games – with positive results.
The Blues have beat Man City and Brighton playing the false nine with Hazard playing a part in all four goals Chelsea scored across the two matches, with one goal and three assists.
But Hazard has previously admitted his unhappiness with playing in the false nine role, leading Chelsea to be linked with a move for Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson.
Clubs are usually coy on their interest in the build-up to transfer windows, but Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola admitted his side were one of many teams looking at Wilson.
“I’m sure that there are a lot of players, they are linked with us,” the Italian said.
“Certainly Callum Wilson is doing very well for this club and he’s an interest not only for us but for many.”
Chelsea also have the potential option to recall Abraham from his loan at Aston Villa, but will have some opposition given the forward’s good form.
Key stat: Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud have combined to score just six Premier League goal this season, two fewer than Callum Wilson.
Back up for Jorginho
Why is it an issue?
Maurizio Sarri has made it very clear Jorginho is the man for the base of his midfield trio, with the Italian’s technical ability on the ball vital for Sarrismo – which is why Chelsea signed him in the summer.
But Jorginho is, perhaps, too relied upon for Chelsea. Teams this season have already pinpointed stifling the Italian as the way to stop Chelsea, with Manchester United, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur all previously marking Jorginho out of games.
There is also the problem of rotation. Of current first-team players, only Cesc Fabregas boasts a similar skillset to that of Jorginho and the Spaniard has deputised in cup competitions.
However, Fabregas has just six months remaining on his present contract at Chelsea and will be free to talk to foreign clubs from January.
The Spaniard has also revealed his unhappiness at Stamford Bridge, stuck playing with the rotational team rather than first choice as he had for so many years.
Speaking after Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with MOL Vidi, Fabregas said: “I know what my role is,” he said. “Unfortunately it’s not the one I want.
“I’m keeping it professional as usual. I’m always trying to do my best, in the conditions, playing with the youngsters, playing with the first team, even though this year I still haven’t played with the full, full first team one game.
“But, I’m trying to do what I can. It’s a difficult situation for me, obviously. I’m playing the cups and the Europa League. I don’t give up. I’m not someone who you’ll see complaining or not giving his all because of that.”
Should Fabregas go, Chelsea will have no first team player ready to fill in for Jorginho, bringing the prospect of very little rest for the Italian.
Can it be done without spending money?
In Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with MOL Vidi in the Europa League, the Blues had 18-year-old George McEachran on the bench – younger brother of former player Josh.
The teenager did not come on for his debut, but it was expected he would have been a replacement for Cesc Fabregas in the Jorginho role should he have been required.
McEachran is one of many Chelsea youngsters full of promise, with technical ability beyond his age already, playing in a deeper role this season after more attacking positions in the past.
Key stat: Jorginho has started in 16 of Chelsea’s 17 Premier League games this season, playing the full 90 on 13 occasions.
Right-wing
Why is it an issue?
Chelsea have a right-wing problem. At the start of the season, Willian and Pedro were rotated for the role and the Spaniard has done well with six Premier League goals so far.
This system worked, with Eden Hazard on the left and a recognised striker in between.
The real problem, however, has stemmed in Sarri’s switch to a false nine, meaning Hazard, Willian and Pedro are all on the pitch at the same time.
Chelsea don’t have adequate back-up on the right, with Pedro the only real fit for Sarri’s system as a player able to do as much damage to an opponent off the ball as he is on it.
The lack of options has been highlighted by Sarri having to use Ruben Loftus-Cheek there at times. But the Englishman is obviously better when making runs from the centre of the pitch rather than from the side.
Callum Hudson-Odoi has also been tested on that wing but is preferred on the left where he can do more damage with his dribbling, cutting onto his right foot to shoot.
Can it be done without spending money?
Chelsea have been linked with a move for Christian Pulisic in January, something Sarri would do well to try and push.
The American has seen his playing time reduced at Borussia Dortmund this season, often stuck as a rotation option with other wingers in form.
But that should not discourage Chelsea, with Pulisic creating on average 1.7 chances per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga this season – more than Pedro’s 1 per 90 in the Premier League.
Key stat: Only Eden Hazard (eight) has scored more Premier League goals for Chelsea than Pedro’s six this season.
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