The Reason Behind Chelsea’s Domination This Season: 90% Pass Accuracy, 3.2 Chances Created – A Class Act From The Spaniard

Share

Chelsea has begun the season with aplomb, bagging 19 out of the 21 points possible. Having replaced their rather physical game with a more possession based game, Chelsea have already overcome the challenges of fellow title challengers Arsenal and Manchester City with a win and a draw respectively and is already giving the rest of the sides nightmares. Although all the players have contributed to the sides’ outstanding form, it has been the Cesc Fabregas – Diego Costa partnership that has set them a class apart. Both the Spaniards have been in incredible form this season, with Costa finding the net 9 times from 7 matches and Fabregas leading the assists table with 7 to his name. Even though Costa has had the major share of the limelight, Fabregas has been equally important in Chelsea’s majestic beginning to the season.

The Spaniard was bought this summer as a long-time replacement for a departing Frank Lampard. Last year, Lampard, Ramires, Nemanja Matic, John Obi Mikel, David Luiz and Michael Essien were all used in the 2-man central midfield in Chelsea’s 4-2-3-1. But apart from Matic who has cemented his place since his arrival last season, Jose Mourinho was not entirely convinced with the options he had. With Lampard and David Luiz moving on to Manchester City and PSG respectively, Mourinho was on the lookout for someone who could dictate proceedings from the middle and that is exactly what the former Arsenal captain has proven to be.

With plenty of Premier League experience to boast about, Fabregas has settled in remarkably well into the Chelsea pivot role. The key upgrade Fabregas has provided the side with is his ability to find his teammates. Fabregas has a pass completion rate of 90% per 90 minutes so far, in contrast to Lampard’s 83% and Ramires’ 84%. And to add to that, Fabregas has also succeeded in spotting quick runs and releasing his teammates into goal-scoring positions more often than any of his predecessors from last year; as evident from the chance creation rate of 3.20 per 90 minutes and key passes rate of 2.18 per 90 minutes in comparison to Lampard’s 1.75 and 1.59 and Ramires’ 1.14 and 1.07 respectively.

Last year, the chance creation task had to be almost entirely shouldered by Eden Hazard, but this year Fabregas has considerably relieved the young Belgian from quite a lot of pressure. His arrival has meant that Hazard and the likes of Oscar, Willian, Costa, Loic Remy, Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah have all had the liberty and opportunity to get the ball in key attacking areas and has delivered well.

Yet another difference Fabregas’ arrival has brought about is that the physical game that Chelsea played under Mourinho last term has made way for a more possession based game. Last season, the onus was mostly on utilizing the pace in the wings and attacking midfield ranks during counter attacks to find their goals; especially against stronger sides. This term though Chelsea has ditched their old way and is playing much differently and a share of the credit goes to Fabregas. He has averaged 80.84 passes per 90 minutes and has a Squawka Possession Score of 22.47, which are both way ahead of the two central midfielders of last term. The change in gameplay has freed Chelsea off the criticism they have been constantly subjected to for their extremely defensive and visually irritating style of play.

It is also to be noted that the former Arsenal man has done his defensive work decently. Although Fabregas (1.02) outshines both Lampard (0.74) and Ramires (0.86) in the interceptions rate, Lampard has a greater clearances rate and Ramires has the better tackle and block rate in comparison to Fabregas. But with Matic playing the defensive midfielder role to perfection the need for Fabregas to drop back and defend is minimal and the lower stats can be excused, especially given the difference he has made for the team going upfront.

Thus, it is clearly evident that Mourinho have got a winner in Fabregas and he looks an excellent upgrade for Chelsea in the centre of the ground. There is no doubt that he will be extremely important to Chelsea’s title hopes this season; which in all probability is looking more realistic with every passing game.

Dinesh V

Co-founder of Soccersouls. Living a start-up life 24/7 Follow @dineshintwit

Recent Posts

Tips for Attending Your First Live Football Match

Experiencing a live football match in a stadium is genuinely remarkable. The atmosphere differs  significantly from watching on a screen. The energy and excitement are contagious, immersing  you in the game like never before.   If you're gearing up for your inaugural football match, knowing what to expect is essential. The  sheer intensity of being surrounded by hundreds or thousands of passionate fans can be  overwhelming. To ensure you make the most of this unique experience, here are some tips for  first-timers:  Secure Tickets Early  Getting tickets is crucial, especially for popular events like the World Cup or highly anticipated  matches. Buying online is often the most convenient method. As the season progresses, ticket  demand increases, leading to quick sell-outs. Prices can vary based on team popularity, stadium  quality, and other factors. You can think about buying your tickets in cryptocurrency. Consider  using USDT but first understand tether meaning to know how to go about it. If you have a  specific team or player you want to see, plan accordingly by checking their schedule and  securing tickets early for the best experience. …

2 weeks ago

Some key players to watch at Euro 2024

FRANCE WIN 14-0 🤯Les Bleus score 14 (FOURTEEN) times vs. Gibraltar for their biggest-ever win.…

2 weeks ago

Aston Villa vs Liverpool preview, team news, tickets and prediction

Aston Villa are having a very fine season so far in the Premier League. The…

2 weeks ago

Manchester City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers preview, team news, tickets & prediction

The Premier League run-in, the backend of the title race for Manchester City sees them…

3 weeks ago

Everton vs Nottingham Forest preview, team news, tickets, and prediction

Everton is having a bad season so far, from their poor form in the league…

1 month ago

The Vital Role of Communication on the Soccer Field: Unlocking Success in Leagues

Communication is the heartbeat of any successful soccer team. On the field, amidst the flurry…

1 month ago