Chelsea 2013-14 Season Report (so far)

Article by Robert Wake

Chelsea ended 2013 with an important victory over rivals Liverpool to leave them in 3^rd place in the table, just 2 points behind leaders Arsenal. Coupled with a place in the knockout phase of the Champions League, I believe this represents a significant improvement on this time last year when we trailed the Premiership leaders by 11 points and had been eliminated from Europe’s elite competition. Below are the main statistics and player ratings for the first half of the season. Statistics up to and including Liverpool (Home).

MATCH SUMMARY (ALL COMPETITIONS) – INCLUSIVE 29/12/2013

P 29 W 18 D 5 L 6 F 54 A 26

BIGGEST WIN 4-0 v STEAUA BUCHAREST (AWAY)

BIGGEST LOSS 0-2 v NEWCASTLE UNITED (AWAY)

HIGHEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 41,623 v WEST BROM

LOWEST HOME ATTENDANCE: 40,358 v FC BASEL

PREMIER LEAGUE (HOME)

P 10 W 9 D 1 L 0 F 22 A 8

PREMIER LEAGUE (AWAY)

P 9 W 3 D 3 L 3 F 13 A 11

PREMIER LEAGUE (OVERALL)

P 19 W 12 D 4 L 3 F 35 A 19

LEADING APPEARANCE MAKERS (ALL COMPS)(29)

BRANISLAV IVANOVIC 26 2453 MINS

PETR CECH 25 2419 MINS

JOHN TERRY 24+2 2350 MINS

RAMIRES 23+3 2278 MINS

EDEN HAZARD 22+3 2136 MINS

FRANK LAMPARD 20+6 1991 MINS

OSCAR 20+4 1799 MINS

GARY CAHILL 20 1977 MINS

LEADING GOAL SCORERS (ALL COMPS)

EDEN HAZARD 10

FERNANDO TORRES 6

FRANK LAMPARD 6

OSCAR 6

SAMUEL ETO’O 5

RAMIRES 4

DEMBA BA 3

ANDRE SCHURRLE 3

LEADING ASSISTERS (ALL COMPS)

EDEN HAZARD 8

OSCAR 7

FRANK LAMPARD 7

JUAN MATA 5

RAMIRES 5

GOALKEEPERS

PETR CECH 7/10 – Big Pete has been generally quite consistent, recording 9 shut-outs in 25 appearances, but has made the occasional uncharacteristic error, particularly when dealing with set-pieces, where Chelsea have conceded 37% of their goals in the Premiership.

MARK SCHWARZER 8/10 – The big Aussie has proved a reliable deputy, and a vast improvement on Ross Turnbull. In his four appearances thus far, Schwarzer has kept 3 shut-outs, conceding his only goals in the Capital One Cup defeat at Sunderland.

DEFENDERS

BRANISLAV IVANOVIC 7/10 – As reliable as always, the no-nonsense Serb has racked up the most minutes in the first half of the season. Though not a natural right-back, Branna rarely lets the side down, and is always a threat at set-pieces.

CESAR AZPILICUETA 8/10 – Cesar, affectionately nicknamed ‘Dave’ is one of the unsung heroes of the team. An undemonstrative player, Cesar has adapted well to playing out of position at left-back at the expense of Ashley Cole. Many observers, myself included, believe Cesar should be our first choice right-back.

ASHLEY COLE 6/10 – It has been a difficult few months for Ash. His early season form was not to his usual high standards, and he subsequently lost his place to Azpilicueta. Ashley will be looking for more starts in the New Year with the World Cup looming.

RYAN BERTRAND 5/10 – Poor Ryan has been unfortunate so far this season, only appearing 3 times in all competitions. His recent injury coincided with Cole’s own injury problems, allowing Azpilicueta to become first choice at left-back. With Cole now fit again, Ryan’s opportunities seem limited, and he may need to move on at this important time in his career.

DAVID LUIZ 6/10 – Currently third choice centre-back behind Terry and Cahill, David showed his quality in the midfield ‘double-pivot’ against Liverpool. Perhaps he should be afforded more opportunities to play there, though Mourinho seems unconvinced.

GARY CAHILL 8/10 – Gary has possibly been the most improved performer under Mourinho. Though he has a tendency to drop off his man too much at times, he makes up for this with a strong mentality and bravery, which has led to numerous blocks and last ditch, goal saving tackles.

JOHN TERRY 9/10 – Captain, leader, legend; and also a pretty damn good centre-back. Terry has been in excellent form this season, leading to calls for a recall to the England set-up. At the halfway point, probably between JT and Hazard for Player of the season.

MIDFIELDERS

RAMIRES 7/10 – The third most used outfield player to date, Ramires has become an integral part of the ‘double pivot’, contributing 4 goals and 5 assists. His touch does let him down a little too often, but his pace and energy are vital to the team.

FRANK LAMPARD 7/10 – Chelsea’s all-time record goalscorer has appeared in all but 3 of Chelsea’s games so far, and this has understandably led to the occasional sluggish performance. However, he has generally performed well in the big games, and has added 6 further goals to his record, as well as 7 assists.

JON MIKEL OBI 6/10 – Though Ramires and Lampard have been Mourinho’s preferred pairing in the centre, Mikel has often been utilised as a more defensive option in games against title rivals. His lack of mobility has at times left him a little exposed in the ‘double pivot’, and he is better suited to playing in a midfield 3, as was evident in away games at West Ham and Arsenal.

MICHAEL ESSIEN 5/10 – The man once known as ‘The Bison’ for his strength and power, is in danger of becoming ‘The Sloth’ such is his lack of mobility and awareness. In just 6 appearances, which include 2 as a substitute, Michael has already accrued 5 yellow cards. His agent has hinted at a move away from Chelsea, which may be in the best interest of both parties.

WILLIAN 7/10 – After a slow start to his Chelsea career, Willian has become more of a regular starter recently, producing some energetic performances. Still needs to work on his end product, but the signs are there that he may well develop into an important cog in Mourinho’s new Chelsea.

OSCAR 8/10 – Apart from being an outstanding playmaker, Oscar is also a tireless worker, frequently chasing and harrying opponents into mistakes. That, coupled with 6 goals and 7 assists have made him one of Mourinho’s ‘untouchables’.

JUAN MATA 6/10 – Chelsea’s Player of The Year for the past 2 seasons has found himself somewhat on the fringes this term. When he has been given opportunities, he hasn’t delivered the standard of performances expected of him to earn a regular place in the team. Mourinho appears to prefer the greater work ethic of Oscar, Hazard and Willian at the moment, and it seems a long road back for Mata.

ANDRE SCHURRLE 6/10 – Schurrle is a typical Mourinho player; technique, pace, determination and a great work ethic. The German is at his most effective cutting in from the left which has limited his appearances due to the form of Eden Hazard.

EDEN HAZARD 9/10 – Started the season relatively slowly, but has responded to Mourinho’s cajoling, and is now Chelsea’s most effective attacking outlet. Pacy and tricky, Eden is a nightmare for defenders and is already on 10 goals (4 during December) to add to his 8 assists.

KEVIN DE BRUYNE 5/10 – Despite an impressive pre-season, and a start on the opening day, Kevin has gradually slipped further and further from first-team contention, and seems set for a loan or permanent move as we enter the transfer window. Undoubtedly talented, he has perhaps found the competition for places tougher than he expected.

FORWARDS

FERNANDO TORRES 6/10 – Still not producing enough on a regular basis. Has managed 6 goals to date, but only 2 have come in the Premier League. Shows glimpses of the form that once made him the most feared striker in the league, but is equally capable of being impotent and anonymous. Must be as frustrating for him as it is for the fans.

SAMUEL ETO’O 6/10 – With 5 goals this term, Eto’o has a similar strike rate to Torres (a goal every 200 minutes or so) which is simply not good enough for a team with title aspirations. Was always a stop-gap measure, and likely to be replaced by Romelu Lukaku in the summer.

DEMBA BA 5/10 – Just 3 goals this season (which actually gives him the best goals to minutes ratio of our three forwards), and just 9 in the calendar year since joining last January tells its own story. If Chelsea do sign a striker in January, then Ba is the man most likely to make way. Simply not good enough for a team competing at the highest level.