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Club Focus – Chelsea – All set to unveil young cavalry
Chelsea provided an assured performance against Wolverhampton, a day supplemented by a record breaking win with 10 successive clean sheets and 12 consecutive home victories. Even without an entourage of first team regulars, the blues dominated proceedings as Joe Cole and Michael Essien successfully occupied the roles left behind through the absence of Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Deco. With Essien adopting a more attacking role, Jon Obi Mikel was drawn into the starting XI after completing 90 minutes for Nigeria in mid-week. On his recovery from injury, the African offered an excellent display as the defensive shield. Flourent Malouda was also granted a first team opportunity to which he repaid with a stunning strike, Essien then scored twice to effectively end the tie and midfield magician, Cole wrapped up the 4-0 triumph.
Carlo Ancelotti was however reported as dissatisfied with the latter stages of the first half. Despite holding a 3-0 lead at the interval the Blues boss was unhappy with the number of opportunities the underdogs had grafted out. Mikel discussed Ancelotti’s desire to cut Wolves time on the ball to a minimum, this was clear as Mikel and Essien collectively nullified any possible Wolves attack in the second period. This managerial perfectionist outlook may appear pernickety at times, but preventing any mistakes, has lead Chelsea to equal the consecutive clean sheets record. The role of the defensive shield is key to the success of a solid defence, and with the strong presence of either Essien or Mikel occupying this role, the Blues have been able to alternate between defenders and compromise injuries in the back four. Juliano Belletti was preferred at right-back. The defender offers more width than the less mobile and centrally inclined Branislav Ivanovic. The move allowed for both Belletti and Ashley Cole to offer outlets out wide, alongside Kalou, Cole and Malouda who also drifted to wide positions helping create space for Essien to delve into. The Chelsea no.5 was able to shift the ball through the Wolves spine on several occasions with testing, stinging strikes for Wayne Hennessy to deal with.
With a depleted squad in a game effectively won at half time, opportunities arose for the young Chelsea starlets to prosper on the big stage. The most notable performance was that of Gael Kakuta’s, as he attempted to fame himself for his on the field abilities. The left winger adopted a free role off the strikers and caused particular problems for Richard Stearman, as the young Frenchman skilfully cut inside on a number of occasions. The question is can the trio of Kakuta, Fabio Borini and Nemanja Matic fill the boots left behind by the Africans on their international duties? The answer is, no. However the young trio can offer the Blues unpredictability. This is not to be confused with inconsistency, the young starlets have a barrage of skills and unknown abilities. Opposing defenders will have little to base the youngster's game upon, unlike the pre-existing knowledge of Drogba and Kalou’s game for example. This therefore will enable the Chelsea products to torture defences with unknown talent and a different level of talent. The Chelsea January period (of which the African Cup of Nations takes place) includes a string of games where the young trio amongst the likes of Sam Hutchinson and Daniel Sturridge may find involvement as the west Londoners face Hull, Sunderland, Birmingham and Burnley. Teams of whom Chelsea will be clear favourites, with both Birmingham and Sunderland games being held at home the Blues would be expected to accumulate 12 points during this period. With Ancelotti largely unconcerned with the January transfer window, the Blues may look to capitalise on the oppositions off the field distractions.
The plaudits will hail the success of the blues home record, possibly switching focus from their inconsistent away form to date. A tough test of this consistency lay near on the horizon as the blues next four fixtures fall away from the Bridge. The Londoners travel to Porto in mid-week before a top four clash with Arsenal the coming weekend. The current number one spot holders then travel to Blackburn and Manchester City in away League Cup and Premier League ties respectively. Although a five point lead at the top may appear comfortable for the Blues, the upcoming fixture list may beg questions of the Pensioners, intensified with a growing list of absentees.
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