Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca repeatedly pointed to Chelsea's inability to control the game against Fulham, and that was the reason they lost at home to their west London rivals for the first time since 1979. The Italian said the opening 15 minutes of the second half alone cost his Blues.
There was a moment, with the score at 1-0 to Chelsea, that illustrated exactly what Maresca was saying. Cole Palmer received the ball as Chelsea counter-attacked and the blue shirts rushed forward. However, Palmer was slow to get the ball and frustrated his teammates.
Maresca wants his players to move forward as a unit to avoid creating spaces for the opposition to exploit. "Before you attack, you need to pass, pass, pass so you can combine," said the Chelsea head coach.
The final statistics showed that Fulham's victory over Chelsea was well deserved. They had 26 touches in the opposition box compared to Chelsea's 20, had 52% more possession and had 14 shots compared to the home team's 12.
Leicester fans were sometimes frustrated with Maresca’s approach last season, despite him guiding them to promotion as Championship champions. It’s clear that it will take some time to adjust to Maresca’s philosophy, but not everyone at Chelsea understands that.
Perhaps that is why he has repeatedly said Chelsea are not ready to challenge for the title. The result was still impressive, the Blues' first Premier League defeat since losing to Liverpool in October, but Maresca knows his team are still adapting to his style of play.
"One defeat may not mean that Chelsea are not ready or cannot compete for the title. However, the reason I say Chelsea are not a candidate for the title is the feeling within the team.
Because we understand our own strength. Chelsea understands why we should aim to win every single match. Because that is the best thing Chelsea can do, as well as looking at what we can improve" - said the Italian strategist.
With Arsenal only having to face Ipswich Town in the latest match of round 18, Chelsea are likely to lose second place to their opponents.
