Currently nine shots on target in the city game with a total of 2.9xG, and yet nine goals. Just play 11 outfield players each maybe yeah?
City were a Gvardiol-clearance-off-the-line away from totally bottling a 5-1 lead. I know they're only 2 points behind us (as it stands), but I'm just not sold on them at all, especially defensively. I'm not gonna 100% write them off because they are still City and Pep is still a top manager. And I know things can change in the second half of the season. But I never saw these vulnerabilities in their 22/23 or 23/24 teams - and I think these issues are both structural and due to personnel, which won't all be solved in the Jan transfer window.
The issue is they play with 10 men in their defensive set up every week - with Haaland's role purely to score goals. Every team that plays against them can create overlaps/space. Because they don't sit back it makes them very open. They do keep picking up points, though, despite the scrapes and they will improve when it really matters in the last 3rd of the season. Right now I would make Chelsea favourites for the league, with City next. I am quite down on our chances at this time given what I have seen from us in big games. All may change , though - it's early. Our job right now is to beat Brentford - which I am not overly confident of.
please log in to view this image Mate Chelsea can play well in big games when we want, but we are inconsistent as hell, our defence is half baked, and this season we cant seem to keep 11 men on the pitch for 90 minutes. Aint no way we winning no league unless Arsenal AND City both **** the bed and have dreadful seasons...that aint happening
