It’s somewhat disappointing for Chelsea to go two straight games without goals despite their glut of offensive talent being available, however given last season’s defensive struggles, it’s clear that the new signings at the back have made such a defensive impact that it’s worth the draws. This team is still looking for it’s offensive cohesion as the players learn positioning on their passes and feel out the spacing. Chelsea started this game in an odd formation, going with a 3-4-3, almost an attempt to shoehorn Reece James and Cesar Azpilicueta onto the field at the same time. James recently played some midfield to ill effect, so I understand the decision to get him back on right side and Azpi has never been the problem on the back line. This also gave Christian Pulisic the chance on his favored left side with Kai Havertz still allowed to basically roam all over the field. Mason Mount wasn’t in the lineup, though he eventually came on along with Tammy Abraham for Havertz and Time Werner. Werner failed to really get anything going this game and Pulisic created most of the attacking chances. It was an overall fair and deserved result given all the defensive struggles for this team.
Chelsea spent the first ten minutes or so of this game defending a consistent press from Manchester United as Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes continued their partnership up front, though they missed Anthony Martial on the left side, where Daniel James was thoroughly manhandled by his brother Reece James. With consistent pressing efforts, crosses and runs, ManU tested this Chelsea backline, but they prevailed and took control of possession for most of the rest of the first half. A couple corners gave Chelsea opportunities, but other than Kai and Zouma, Chelsea’s lack of height on the offensive side compared to ManU’s defensive size showed in this game. I’m still not sure why we haven’t seen Giroud at all this season. Last year he struggled to get on the field until later in the season where he performed beautifully especially with Pulisic. For ten minutes between the 20 and 30 minute mark, consistent offensive pressure created chances, mostly for and by Pulisic who made multiple runs with shots himself and passes to teammates inside. In a more offensively minded role, Ben Chilwell presented more incredible passing and the link up between him and Pulisic seems to be coming along quite nicely. Pulisic also has improved dramatically in his pressing efforts where he looked like a child at times last year, he had a really nice takeaway to create probably the best Chelsea chance of the game in midfield, pick-pocketing Fred and driving in himself for a shot.
On defense, after a nervy pass from Edouard Mendy that almost went into the goal, Chelsea sustained a more consistent attack towards the end of the first half. Mendy made a wonderful save off Marcus Rashford who dealt with rainy turf, but the shot still required a massive effort from Mendy. At 6’6”, Mendy becomes giant in one on one situations so it was great to see that payoff. Sometimes with keepers, you just have to admit that height can’t be taught and despite Kepa Arrizabalaga’s abilities, at 6’1”, you’re never going to be able to make certain saves. After Thibault Courtois, another 6’6” keeper, moved on from Chelsea, and Kepa came in, I think it’s clear how important height in a goalkeeper is for this team. Mendy made a couple more saves late in the first half that would have been really shaky if Kepa had attempted them. It’s amazing how Mendy and Thiago Silva have calmed Kurt Zouma and elevated his game. Zouma got consistent playing time last year because of the transfer ban after spending the previous two years on loan and was inconsistent despite his immense talent and special ability with long balls forward. In the Southampton game, it was he who made the errant pass back to Kepa who botched the save and let in a goal. On Saturday, Zouma looked calm and collected again as he had mid-week against Sevilla. Honestly, I’m not sure 100% on Kepa’s communication, it always seemed to be an issue, whether it literally language related, I don’t know, but having Mendy, Silva and Azpi who all speak French may be making a difference in communication. Reportedly, Azpi made a comment on this after this line’s dominant performance in the Crystal Palace game. Whatever it is, with Silva’s calming influence and clear leadership, the confidence of Mendy and Azpi’s strong captain leadership, Zouma’s elevated his game. With the pressure at the end of the half, Chelsea did manage a few more offensive opportunities that led to a really questionable no call with Harry Maguire dragging Azpi down in the penalty box on a corner that’s led to widespread dissent with Lampard clearly believing in a post game interview that it was indeed a penalty. Oh well.
The second half started with more consistent pressure from Chelsea with Pulisic getting in behind, where Maguire stepped again and consistent efforts by Chilwell to get down the left side. Aaron Wan-Bissaka became much more of a problem, linking with Fernandes on the attack and consistently disrupting Chilwell and Pulisic’s efforts to get balls through. Toward the 60th minute, ManU made inroads as Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba came on providing attacking firepower, causing Jorginho and Kai to drop back more consistently to cover. Kai again, while making strides on the offensive end to connect with Werner and Pulisic continues to show his versatility through his ability to get back and defend. Having someone with his size to help the sometimes height hampered Kante and Jorginho in midfield has definitely contributed to the defensive improvement. At the 60th minute, Reece James finally snuck in an absolute sniper of a cross that Pulisic almost finished. It was vintage James that gave me such hope between him and Chilwell on that side with their dangerous crosses in this formation. I’m not sure this formation will be favored going forward, but it certainly worked today on both ends of the field. Having James and Chilwell essentially play as wingers seemed to free up more space for them to be creative and link up with the forward players.
Not much occurred from an attacking standpoint as the second half waned. ManU possessed the ball much more and Scott Fucking McTominay did his best Bernard Karmel Pollard impression by injuring Pulisic and then himself while attempting a challenge on Tammy. This fucking guy, I don’t know why he hasn’t been loaned out yet because he doesn’t really provide consistency for ManU, but I mean what are they going to do, play Jesse Lingard. Nemanja Matic has to be injured right? Ooof, I don’t care for McTominay. Ziyech came in for Pulisic in the 80th minute; thought it was kind of weird with him, Mount and Tammy on the attack, however I think Frank’s just trying to get him minutes to get used to playing with the team. It’s going to be tough to fit him in because of his style and he seems to need that chemistry with his teammates more than anyone else. Mount, Tammy and James showed their chemistry getting forward a time or two. Chelsea made a final defensive stand at the end and Mendy made another incredible save against Rashford in the 90th minute, showing incredible anticipation. Kepa doesn’t make that save because Mendy got his fingers on it and those extra five inches made all the differences. ManU’s attack fizzled out and the game ended with a draw. The biggest thing with this game was how tested Mendy got and he shined brightly as my man of the match. The offensive players are still figuring each other out and that’s ok because they’re not losing which is paramount to stay high up in the table and Champions League. Defensive competence and frankly robustness will probably be the most prominent feature early this season with the offensive firepower getting acclimated. I think by the end of November this entire thing will come together, but it’s really nice to see that Chelsea can manage points without scoring goals.
Bo's Gamut 