Throughout Chelsea’s turbulent season, Antonio Conte has regularly criticised his attacking players for their lack of composure in front of goal, claiming that his strikers have been very wasteful in many crucial games. Conte used the draw to West Ham last month as an example.
This game describes, very clearly, our season.
Now Conte’s views have been echoed by Blues midfielder Cesc Fabregas who, according to Sky Sports, believes missed chances have plagued Chelsea’s season until their recent upturn in fortunes.
We are taking more chances because we are winning, and that’s the most important. I think defensively as well, we have been keeping clean-sheets but the biggest regret this season, it’s been up front, not taking our chances. We have had many, many chances to score in games – to win games that we didn’t win. We could have won more if we had been more clinical and that’s been our weakest point this season.
Alvaro Morata has been Chelsea’s focal point in attack this season, replacing Diego Costa, who left to return to his former club – Atletico Madrid. Morata has only managed one more goal than fellow teammate Eden Hazard, with a disappointing 15 goals in 45 matches. Conte, along with Fabregas, was hoping for a much better return from the Spanish star.
However, since the arrival of Olivier Giroud, Morata has been used a lot less frequently and Fabregas has praised the new arrival:
Oli is helping us a lot in certain things that maybe we were lacking. The most important is he is scoring big goals which is what we ask – especially me as a midfielder. This is what we want – the strikers put their chances away and make the team win points.
Chelsea have just two Premier : eague fixtures remaining and both are must win games if the Blues are to have any hope of securing Champions L eague football next season.
