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Chelsea: What to do to challenge for the title next season

By Uzair Madhani

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on August 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on August 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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Believe in the backline

Chelsea’s best teams have been built from the back. It’s time for them to go back to that.

Chelsea’s backline has been a revolving door over the course of the season. David Luiz was a regular member of the starting eleven and ended up out of the match-day squad. Gary Cahill and Antonio Rudiger have been in and out of the backline. Cesar Azpilicueta has been shifted from right-wingback to center-back.

These changes have left the backline unstable. Players have had to settle into a defensive routine, and develop new partnerships multiple times throughout the season. The 3-5-2 formation relies on a settled center-back partnership, and this season has just not seen that from Chelsea.

Next: Arsenal - What to do to challenge for the title next season

It is a far cry from the glory days of Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry. Even last season’s title-winning team had a settled back three of Cahill, Luiz, and Azpilicueta. Chelsea just has not looked as surefooted this season.

This may also be down to the midfield, as too often N’Golo Kante is left with too much to do. His usual partners have been the defensively-limited Cesc Fabregas or the generally limited Bakayoko.

Andreas Christensen has largely done well this season. Alongside Azpilicueta, and perhaps Rudiger, the beginnings of a strong defense are there. Chopping and changing the backline might hinder the team more than it helps.

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