UNITED KINGDOM: On Monday, as a Dominos pizza truck drew up next to Craven Cottage in the lead-up to the game, it became apparent that Chelsea’s appalling goal-scoring record was starting to transition from a recurrent theme to a source of ridicule.
The number of pizzas sold by Dominos in the five weeks since Chelsea’s last Premier League goal was displayed on a digital billboard, with around 10 million pizzas sold. This PR gimmick was amusing and schadenfreude for rival fans.
Even though the Blues created chances, Chelsea had not scored in the league since a 3-0 triumph against Premier League underdogs Luton in August going into Monday’s local matchup with rival Fulham.
Their 5.5% shot conversion rate is the lowest of any side, as they have failed to score in their previous 49 attempts on goal. The club has remained a squad that produces opportunities but rarely scores, similar to their performance under Graham Potter last season.
Chelsea secured a 2-0 much-needed victory against Fulham. Mykhailo Mudryk, a £100 million transfer, was a symbol of Chelsea’s appeal but failed to impress in 23 games. Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino linked Mudryk’s mistakes to a lack of confidence and a psychological issue. To address this, he challenged him to a crossbar challenge.
Pochettino praised Mudryk for his maturity and time in the post-game press conference, stating that he had earned his moment due to the significant team shift and the difficulty of fitting in.
Pochettino also noted that Mudryk demonstrated in his training sessions that he had earned the chance to play.
Mudryk displayed calmness in his first goal for the club, demonstrating trust and belonging. Following the goal, things improved much further.
Chelsea scored once again a few seconds later. This time, Cole Palmer capitalized on Tim Ream of Fulham’s bad pass and passed the ball through to Armando Broja, who almost missed completing the quick-fire double. Even though it wasn’t as attractive, the goal was still there.
Chelsea’s problems persist despite their recent win, with missed chances for goals by Broja and Fernández. Pochettino’s team is still lacking in goal-scoring opportunities, and Mudryk’s absence due to a quad injury is concerning.
Despite their well-taken goal, Chelsea’s lack of style and charisma for consistent performances should cause concern. The team needs to work on improving their chances and overcoming their weaknesses.
Chelsea’s league standing is currently 11th, one point behind Manchester United. Despite a victory, they have suffered away losses to West Ham and Nottingham Forest and a 0-0 draw with Bournemouth. The club’s upcoming schedule includes tough matches against Arsenal, Brentford, Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle, Brighton, and Manchester United.
Pochettino emphasizes the importance of being prepared for any situation in football, stating that the upcoming game against Burnley will be challenging. After two victories, it’s crucial for players to feel motivated, he added.
However, concerns about Chelsea’s performance can wait, as they broke their league slump on Monday.
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