Premier League champions Chelsea suffered their second home defeat of the season on Saturday to Manchester City, and eight dropped point, just only after seven games of the current campaign.
Obviously, things haven’t gone to plan for the west London club who in all honesty don’t look like a team that is favoured to retain their league title, judging by the transfer business conducted by their rivals.
They could perhaps take some consolation from the fact that in last season’s title run-in, they tallied the same number of points-13, after seven games in the campaign. The major difference between the past and present is the Blues involvement in the UEFA Champions League, which means more games, more travelling to do across the continent and ultimately less time spent on the training ground.
The international break must have been timely for Antonio Conte and his coaching staff who can sit-down and analyse the season to date. One major concern for the maverick Italian manager is the likely absence of Alvaro Morata for the next couple of weeks.
According to information provided by the Royal Spanish Football Federation on the injury of the £58million record signing, Morata has been diagnosed with a myofascial injury to his hamstring muscles and will require 4-6 weeks to properly recover. The implication of this statement means the forward could potentially miss up to seven key games for the Blues in three competitions.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace-Premier League, Chelsea vs Roma-UEFA Champions League, Chelsea vs Watford-Premier League, Chelsea vs Everton-English Football League Cup, Chelsea vs Bournemouth-Premier League, Chelsea vs Roma-UEFA Champions League and Chelsea vs Manchester United-Premier League.
The above highlighted games could yet prove crucial in this seasons’ title challenge in all competitions for Chelsea, and missing the services of a striker, who has scored six goals in six league games and one goal in his solitary UEFA Champions League appearance, could be to damaging effect.
In his absence Michy Batshuayi could prove to be a capable if not equal replacement. The Belgium striker has netted five goals in all competitions this season, but has yet to open his Premier League account.
Perhaps, a little bit of trust and confidence from Conte, could prove to be the tonic for a player who netted the title winning goal last season at West Bromwich Albion, in his bid to finally overcome his bit-part-role at the Champions.
