In-form Bournemouth pose threat to inconsistent Chelsea | OneFootball

In-form Bournemouth pose threat to inconsistent Chelsea | OneFootball

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Football Today

·13. Januar 2025

In-form Bournemouth pose threat to inconsistent Chelsea

Artikelbild:In-form Bournemouth pose threat to inconsistent Chelsea

Chelsea’s clash with Bournemouth on Tuesday is shaping up to be a critical litmus test for Enzo Maresca’s side.

After a dominant 5-0 victory against Morecambe in the FA Cup, the Premier League offers a very different challenge.


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Bournemouth, with their pressing intensity and recent unbeaten league run, are precisely the type of opponents who could capitalise on Chelsea’s lingering frailties.

Maresca acknowledged the threat Bournemouth bring, noting their clarity both on and off the ball.

“They are intense – quite direct with strong, quick players,” he said, a reminder of how Chelsea’s vulnerabilities could be exposed if they are not disciplined.

The Cherries’ aggression could stretch a Chelsea defence that has been anything but watertight in recent matches, with just two points gained from the last 12 available in the league.

Recent performances in the top flight have reflected the inconsistency that Maresca has been striving to address.

A lacklustre 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace showcased Chelsea’s struggles to finish off games despite dominating possession.

Bournemouth will demand a sharper, more clinical Chelsea, particularly as they have scored multiple goals in each of their last five away league games.

The onus is on Nicolas Jackson to rediscover his scoring touch. While Maresca remains publicly supportive, the pressure is mounting. “He’s been a bit unlucky,” Maresca said recently, but this is a game where Jackson and others in the attack must deliver.The return of Reece James and Romeo Lavia to full fitness offers a much-needed boost, but Maresca admitted they remain ‘delicate situations’ to manage.

Their contributions could be pivotal in unlocking Bournemouth’s defensive structure or stifling their rapid counters.Bournemouth, unbeaten in nine Premier League matches, represent a significant obstacle.

Maresca’s observation that Chelsea are ‘not genuine title contenders’ rings true given their recent run, but matches like these are opportunities to prove they can build momentum and consistency.

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