Chelsea still plagued by inconsistency as defensive woes continue in last-gasp Sheffield United draw

Chelsea seemed to have secured a win after their 2-2 draw at home against 10-man Burnley. But, they let their guard down and ended up with another 2-2 draw against Sheffield United, the team at the bottom of the Premier League.

It was a disappointing finish to a not-so-great performance. Noni Madueke’s amazing goal in the second half gave them hope, but it wasn’t enough.

Chelsea’s performance has been up and down lately, making it tough for them to qualify for the Europa League. Even though they had a thrilling 4-3 win against Manchester United, they need to be more consistent.

They’re still in the running, but time is ticking. Manchester United, Newcastle, and West Ham are all ahead of them in the table, with only eight games left to play.

Let’s look at three key points from Chelsea’s game against Sheffield United, as highlighted by Nizaar Kinsella from Standard Sport.

1. Madueke’s Brilliant Moment: Madueke’s fantastic play and goal boosted Chelsea during a rough second half. The 22-year-old proved that he can create magic when the team needs it most. His start in the game was well-deserved, especially after winning a crucial penalty in the Manchester United match. This could be a turning point for Madueke, who hasn’t had many starting opportunities this season.
2. Defensive Struggles Continue: Chelsea’s defense didn’t perform well, and it cost them. Benoit Badiashile’s mistake led to Sheffield United’s last-minute equalizer, adding to Chelsea’s defensive woes. They’ve been shaky at the back in recent weeks, and it showed in this game. Mistakes like Thiago Silva’s sloppy pass gave their opponents chances to score. All four defenders, Silva, Axel Disasi, Marc Cucurella, and Trevoh Chalobah, had a rough game. Chelsea has now conceded two or more goals in their last seven matches across all competitions.
3. Chukwuemeka’s Impact: A positive note for Chelsea was Carney Chukwuemeka’s performance in midfield towards the end of the game. He brought control to the midfield, which was lacking in the second half. His presence helped his teammates Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, who were struggling against Sheffield United’s midfielders. Gustavo Hamer was particularly influential for Sheffield United in securing a point.

In summary, Chelsea needs to work on their consistency and tighten up their defense if they want to secure a spot in the Europa League. They have some promising players, like Madueke and Chukwuemeka, who can make a difference if given the chance.