Chelsea ended their five-game winless run in the Premier League by beating Wolves 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Monday night, moving back into the top four.
While the victory was routine, their goalkeeping situation and transfer dealings are more challenging.
Ayo Akinwolere was joined by Liam Twomey and Phil Hay on the latest episode of “The Athletic FC Podcast” to assess the current situation at Stamford Bridge.
For Liam, the Blues and Robert Sanchez can’t afford many more slips ups if they’re to secure Champions League football.
“We’re past the point of Stamford Bridge losing trust in Robert Sánchez — they lost trust quite a while ago in him,” he said.
“Chelsea’s margin for error in the top-four race is gone. When they were in second, I did wonder at the time if they were a false second, just the best of a ‘meh’ chasing pack behind Liverpool. That’s proven to be the case.
“Newcastle have been winning every week until their stumble against Bournemouth, and Manchester City have remembered they should be winning every week.
“So, every mistake (from) the goalkeeper could cost Chelsea in terms of their Champions League qualification hopes.”
The Blues recalled Trevoh Chalobah — exiled from the first team and relegated to the ‘bomb squad’ last summer — from Crystal Palace to bolster their defence after injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
However, midfield could also be a problem position.
“I’m relentlessly amazed by Chelsea’s lack of urgency to look at their midfield,” Liam added.
“Moises Caicedo is Chelsea’s midfield. Enzo Fernandez is injured, Romeo Lavia plays one game and then he’s out for an indeterminate period. He (Caicedo) is the only one who can balance the team.
“If Chelsea miss Caicedo for any significant time, they will not get top four because he’s the one holding this team together. Cole Palmer is their best player; Caicedo is their least replaceable.”
You can listen to full episodes of The Athletic FC Podcast for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
(Top photo: Ed Sykes/Getty Images)
