The inquest in west London is sure to reach another gear this evening after Chelsea once again produced a performance well wide of the mark in front of expectant home support at Stamford Bridge in a massively disappointing 1-0 loss against relegation-threatened Southampton.
Chelsea have won just two of their last 14 matches in all competitions despite spending more than any other club in Europe this season 🙃 pic.twitter.com/pEVOgShyfv
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 18, 2023
Despite the gargantuan £600m-plus that the Blues have shelled out across the 2022-23 Premier League season between two transfer windows, Graham Potter will no doubt be under heavy fire in the wake of what was a horrendous performance that may have many now fully in the corner of moving on from the former Brighton manager even before the season has come to an end.
It is a dire set of circumstances for the Premier League giants, who have now managed just one win in ten and two in their last fourteen when recent results are expanded, while goals continue to come at a premium.
Chelsea certainly had their chances, especially in the second half, but heroic goal-line defending from a still managerless Saints afforded the south coast club a gargantuan result, with Southampton doing the double over Chelsea for the first time since 1988 while their six points taken off the capital side constitutes 33% of their total in the league this season. But with two big chances that went begging, it was a performance and subsequent result that so-readily has summed up their season.
Bottom side Southampton beat Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to a superb James Ward-Prowse free-kick. Incredible result for interim boss Ruben Selles. Saints have done the double over #CFC. Chelsea’s woes in front of goal continue. 38 shots and 0 goals from last two games. pic.twitter.com/4ASjuYSzcX
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) February 18, 2023
A fantastic free-kick strike from James Ward-Prowse was the lone difference maker on the day, with a cadre of Blues attacking outlets coming up short, including youngster Mykhailo Mudryk, who has yet to justify the fee the club paid to beat Arsenal to the Ukrainain’s signature.
A key London derby clash with Tottenham now awaits the Blues, who end the day sitting tenth in the table, with another frustrating result next weekend outlining what may only be categorized as a catastrophic season under new owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital Group.
📰 Table Of Contents
Chelsea Player Ratings
- GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
- RB: César Azpilicueta – 6.5
- CB: Kalidou Koulibaly – 6.5
- CB: Benoît Badiashile – 7
- LB: Ben Chilwell – 6
- CM: Mateo Kovačić – 6.5
- CM: Enzo Fernández – 7
- CAM: João Félix – 5.5
- RW: Noni Madueke – 7
- LW: Mason Mount – 6
- CF: David Datro Fofana – 6.5
- Sub: Raheem Sterling – 6.5
- Sub: Wesley Fofana – 6.5
- Sub: Kai Havertz – 6.5
- Sub: Mykhailo Mudryk – 5.5
- Sub: Trevoh Chalobah – 6
Southampton Player Ratings
- GK: Gavin Bazunu – 6.5
- RB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 7.5
- CB: Jan Bednarek – 7
- CB: Armel Bella-Kotchap – 6.5
- LB: Romain Perraud – 7.5
- RM: Stuart Armstrong – 6.5
- CM: James Ward-Prowse – 8
- CM: Romeo Lavia – 6.5
- LM: Mohamed Elyounoussi – 6.5
- RF: Kamaldeen Sulemana – 6.5
- LF: Paul Onuachu – 7
- Sub: Adam Armstrong – 6
- Sub: Sékou Mara – 6
- Sub: Theo Walcott – 6.5
Expert Takes & Social Media
Chelsea since spending $356M in the winter transfer window:
▪️ No wins in four games
▪️ One goal scored
▪️ Lost to last-place Southampton pic.twitter.com/P2SeDKAHWX— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 18, 2023
FUN FACT
6 of Southampton’s 18 points this season have come against Chelsea, 1/3 of their entire tally 😅 pic.twitter.com/JiTsZyFEBL
— Rory Talks Football (@Rory_Talks_Ball) February 18, 2023
Southampton complete the double over Chelsea for the first time since 1988.
⚽ James Ward-Prowse#SaintsFC | #CHESOU pic.twitter.com/htAqX5G6gx
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) February 18, 2023
33% of #SaintsFC‘s points this season have come against Chelsea.
Completed the double against Chelsea for the first time since 1988.
— Jacob Tanswell (@J_Tanswell) February 18, 2023
Chelsea spent £323M in the January transfer window.
They’ve won once this calendar year, scored just four goals and sit 10th in the Premier League 😳 pic.twitter.com/hdmRJR2bey
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 18, 2023
Todd Boehly needs to swallow his pride and do whats best for Chelsea Football Club.
— Conn (@ConnCFC) February 18, 2023
Lowest win percentage in 27 years for a Chelsea manager, lost the first leg in CL, knocked out Fa Cup and League Cup first round, 10th place in the league.
Embarrassing.
— Conn (@ConnCFC) February 18, 2023
Enzo Fernández for Chelsea vs Southampton:
◉ Most touches (79)
◉ Most duels won (11)
◉ Most tackles made (5)
◉ Most interceptions (2)
◎ Joint-most possession won (8)
◎ Joint-most fouls won (4)Giving Chelsea fans something to smile about. 🙃 pic.twitter.com/DGS0KOWrqu
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 18, 2023
To be clear, I never wanted Chelsea to hire Potter even when his shout was all over my timeline.
My issue was it takes him awful time to get his team playing well. However, we knew that and hired him, it makes no sense not to wait for him. That has been my argument.
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) February 18, 2023
