Can Chelsea’s defence hold up in the title race?

Robert Sanchez Colwill Fofana
Photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Chelsea find themselves just two points behind league leaders Liverpool, albeit having played a game more, and lead the Premier League form table over the past five matches. However, head coach Enzo Maresca remains cautious, continuing to downplay their title chances. While Chelsea’s attacking form suggests they are strong contenders, their defensive record may be the factor holding them back.

Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson famously said, “Attack wins you games—defence wins you titles.” This sentiment resonates with Chelsea’s current situation. Despite significant investment in the squad over the past two years, defensive issues remain a concern.

Defensive Instability Amid Promising Signs

Chelsea are joint-third for the fewest goals conceded in the league this season (19), behind Liverpool (13) and Arsenal (15). On the surface, this statistic is encouraging, but a deeper look reveals worrying trends.

The team’s goals-conceded-per-game rate of 1.19 is well above the average of 0.81 for the past ten Premier League champions. By contrast, Liverpool, the current leaders, boast a figure of 0.87. Title-winning sides consistently maintain a figure below one, highlighting the importance of defensive solidity.

Youth and Inconsistencies in Defence

Key defensive figures Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill have shown great promise, but their youth—at 24 and 21, respectively—leaves them short of the experience required for a sustained title challenge. Injuries have further disrupted stability, with Reece James struggling for consistent fitness and Marc Cucurella fluctuating between brilliance and costly errors.

In goal, Robert Sanchez has been a polarizing figure. While capable of moments of brilliance, he has also caused nervous moments for fans, leading to concerns about his reliability in high-pressure situations.

Attacking Firepower Offers Hope

Despite defensive concerns, Chelsea’s attacking record provides a strong platform. The Blues are the league’s top scorers with 37 goals, translating to a goals-per-game average of 2.31—undeniably the mark of a title-challenging side.

The Verdict

Chelsea’s potent attack has kept them in contention, but defensive frailties could ultimately prove their undoing. With improvements in key areas, particularly consistency at the back, the Blues could elevate themselves to genuine title contenders. For now, Maresca’s caution appears justified, but the potential is undoubtedly there for Chelsea to challenge for silverware.