Chelsea's Bad Luck: More Than Meets the Eye

Welcome to The Debrief, a weekly Sky Sports column that combines data and opinion to reflect on key Premier League stories. Recently, Liam Rosenior pointed out that Chelsea ranked fourth in the Premier League table since he took over, but they have now dropped to ninth. The team's defeat by Manchester United marked four consecutive losses, with three of them happening at home. Rosenior attributed the loss to bad luck, stating that Chelsea dominated the game but failed to capitalize on their chances. However, statistics show that Chelsea's finishing has been poor, with the team failing to score despite having the most shots since mid-March. The problem may not be just bad luck, but also the team's style of play and personnel. The lack of clinical finishers like Matheus Cunha, who scored the decisive goal for Manchester United, has been a recurring issue for Chelsea. Meanwhile, other teams like Liverpool are benefiting from the presence of proven scorers like Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. In another story, Jamie Carragher criticized Florian Wirtz's performance in the Merseyside derby, describing it as 'neat and tidy' but lacking the ability to hurt the opposition. Despite creating chances, Wirtz struggled to retain possession and impose himself on the game. His statistics are impressive, but the eye test tells a different story. Wirtz has not shown the swagger and appetite for risk-taking that is expected of him. Newcastle United is another team struggling with intensity and gaps in their defense. Despite ranking second in the Premier League for sprints, their approach is leaving them vulnerable to counter-attacks. The team's home form is alarming, with five losses in their last six Premier League games at St James' Park. Manager Eddie Howe is under scrutiny, and his selection decisions and role in recruitment are being questioned. The team's dismal defensive record is a major concern, and Howe must find answers at the top end of the pitch to address the issue.