Problems and Solutions: How Can Chelsea Improve Their Defense?
Chelsea Football Club is one of England’s most storied teams, with a rich history of success both domestically and in Europe. Over the years, the club has built its reputation not only on flair and attacking prowess but also on a rock-solid defense. Names like John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, and Petr Čech are synonymous with Chelsea’s defensive success. However, in recent seasons, Chelsea’s defense has shown signs of vulnerability, leading to inconsistent performances and disappointing results.
In this article, we will dive into the current defensive problems at Chelsea, analyze their root causes, and suggest potential solutions to help the team regain its defensive solidity.
1. Chelsea’s Defensive Problems: A Deep Dive
A. Inconsistent Defensive Structure
One of the most glaring issues Chelsea has faced recently is a lack of a consistent defensive structure. Under former managers like Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea adopted a back three system that proved effective during their UEFA Champions League triumph in 2021. However, with managerial changes and tactical adjustments, the team has struggled to maintain a clear and consistent defensive shape.
The 2023/24 season, under Mauricio Pochettino, has seen Chelsea oscillate between a back four and a back three, leading to confusion among defenders. Players seem unsure of their roles, and the constant changes in formation make it difficult to establish strong partnerships across the backline.
B. Lack of Communication and Cohesion
Good defenses thrive on communication and cohesion. Chelsea’s backline, however, has struggled in these aspects. Defensive leaders like Thiago Silva and César Azpilicueta, who once marshaled the defense with authority, are either aging or playing reduced roles. In their place, younger players like Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile have been brought in. While these younger talents have enormous potential, they lack the experience and leadership required to maintain a disciplined and organized defense.
The constant chopping and changing of personnel also contribute to a lack of cohesion. Players aren’t afforded the opportunity to build a rapport with one another, which is crucial for maintaining a solid defensive unit.
C. Injuries and Squad Instability
Chelsea’s defense has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons. Key players like Reece James and Wesley Fofana have spent extended periods on the sidelines, forcing Chelsea to shuffle their defensive options regularly. Injuries disrupt the rhythm of a defensive unit, and Chelsea’s squad depth, while impressive on paper, has been tested.
The absence of a settled backline due to frequent injuries means the team often fields players who are not fully fit or out of position. This instability creates gaps in defense and allows opposing teams to exploit Chelsea’s vulnerabilities.
D. Midfield Protection: A Missing Shield
Chelsea’s defensive problems don’t start and end with the backline. A key aspect of a solid defense is the midfield’s ability to protect the defenders. In recent times, Chelsea has struggled to find the right balance in midfield. The departures of players like N’Golo Kanté, who was crucial in providing defensive cover, have left a gaping hole in the team’s midfield.
The current midfield options, including Enzo Fernández and Conor Gallagher, are more attack-minded and less defensively astute, which leaves the defense exposed to quick counter-attacks. The lack of a true defensive midfielder or «destroyer» has made Chelsea vulnerable in transition, allowing opposing teams to bypass the midfield and pressure the defense directly.
E. Set-Piece Defending Woes
Another area where Chelsea’s defense has faltered is in defending set-pieces. In the Premier League, where teams are adept at capitalizing on dead-ball situations, Chelsea has been alarmingly poor at defending corners and free-kicks. They lack a commanding presence in the box who can consistently clear danger.
The team’s zonal marking system, which has been employed under multiple managers, has often been exposed, with players losing their markers or failing to challenge aerially. Opponents have found it relatively easy to score from set-pieces, making this a significant weakness in Chelsea’s defensive setup.
2. Solutions: How Chelsea Can Improve Their Defense
While Chelsea’s defensive problems are evident, there are several solutions the club can explore to strengthen their backline and restore defensive stability.
A. Commitment to a Clear Defensive System
One of the most important steps Chelsea can take is to commit to a clear and consistent defensive system. Mauricio Pochettino needs to establish whether he wants to play with a back four or a back three and stick to it. The constant switching between formations has confused players and led to tactical uncertainty.
If Chelsea opts for a back four, the manager must ensure the full-backs are disciplined defensively and not caught out of position when bombing forward. In contrast, a back three system allows for more freedom for the wing-backs but requires strong, fast, and composed center-backs. Whichever system is chosen, it’s critical that Chelsea commits to it and allows players to adapt and form partnerships over time.
B. Strengthen Leadership in Defense
Chelsea must address the lack of leadership in the defense. Thiago Silva, while still an incredible defender, is nearing the end of his career, and relying solely on him is not a sustainable solution. Chelsea needs to groom younger players to take on leadership roles in the defense.
One potential solution is to hand more responsibility to players like Reece James, who, despite his injury struggles, has shown he can be a leader on the pitch. Alternatively, Chelsea could look to bring in an experienced central defender during the transfer window to provide leadership and organizational skills.
C. Reinforce Midfield with a Defensive Shield
A crucial step to improving Chelsea’s defense is reinforcing the midfield with a true defensive midfielder. The absence of N’Golo Kanté has left a void in the team’s ability to break up opposition play and protect the backline. While Chelsea has signed talented midfielders, none possess the defensive discipline that Kanté brought to the team.
One option could be to target players like Declan Rice or Moisés Caicedo, who have proven themselves in the Premier League as top-level defensive midfielders. Adding a player in this mold would relieve pressure on the backline and provide greater protection in front of the defense.
D. Improve Set-Piece Defending
Chelsea’s struggles with set-piece defending can be addressed with both tactical and personnel changes. First, the team should consider moving away from zonal marking and adopting a more man-to-man system, where each player is assigned a specific opponent to mark. This system reduces the chances of players being left unmarked in the box.
In addition, Chelsea could benefit from adding a tall, commanding center-back who excels in aerial duels. The signing of someone like Kalidou Koulibaly (before his move) was seen as a potential solution, but with his departure, the club must again look to bring in a physically dominant defender to deal with aerial threats.
E. Foster Defensive Partnerships
For Chelsea to have a successful defense, they must develop strong partnerships across the backline. This means giving players time to build chemistry with one another. Rather than rotating players constantly, Pochettino should aim to have a settled back four (or five) that plays regularly together.
The partnership between center-backs is especially crucial. The combination of Thiago Silva and Wesley Fofana, or Benoît Badiashile and Levi Colwill, should be given time to flourish. Full-backs and wing-backs should also have a clear understanding with their central defenders, creating a well-drilled defensive unit.
3. Long-Term Strategy: Building for the Future
While the above solutions can provide immediate improvements, Chelsea must also consider a long-term strategy for their defense. The club has already invested heavily in young talents like Fofana, Colwill, and Badiashile, but they need time to develop into world-class defenders.
Chelsea should continue scouting for young, up-and-coming defensive talents who can be integrated into the squad over time. Building a cohesive defensive unit takes time and patience, but with the right planning, Chelsea can return to being one of Europe’s most formidable defensive teams.
Additionally, the club should focus on improving the physical fitness and conditioning of their players to avoid the injury crises that have plagued recent seasons. Keeping key defenders fit and available is crucial to maintaining consistency at the back.
A Path to Defensive Solidity
Chelsea’s defensive problems have been a significant factor in their recent struggles. Inconsistent tactics, injuries, and a lack of leadership have all contributed to the team’s defensive frailties. However, with a clear commitment to a consistent defensive system, the addition of a defensive midfielder, improved set-piece defending, and stronger partnerships across the backline, Chelsea can return to their former defensive prowess.
The solutions may not be quick fixes, but with time, patience, and smart recruitment, Chelsea can rebuild a defense that is capable of challenging for the Premier League and Champions League once again. The future looks bright if the right steps are taken to address the current defensive shortcomings.