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| Chelsea and Sheffield United both have points to prove, which of them will step up at Bramall Lane? (Photo credit: GOAL) |
Chelsea fans must be frustrated after watching their team show different sides in their stunning 4-3 win over Manchester United in midweek.
How do you swing from brilliance to mediocrity in split seconds? The reason Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal are up there in the title conversation is because of their sheer consistency. For the Blues, it’s a hell of frustration, borderline bipolar at this stage.
Sheffield United is putting in effort, a real shift, but they always find a way to self-destruct; the opening goal they conceded against Liverpool was one of the most avoidable goals ever. The goalkeeper had just one job: clear the ball and move on; he hit Darwin Nunez, and it was 1-0.
Sheffield United is destined for the drop; ten whole points off safety with eight games left for them to play means doom; however, we’ve seen great escapes in the league before. The Blades can dream, they can hope, but they must perform better.
Chris Wilder has been here before; he has the experience, but he lacks the personnel to pull this off. The disjointed patterns in the Chelsea game could help Sheffield record an unlikely result at home, but they must work for it.
Cole Palmer is the leading light in the Chelsea team; he has scored sixteen goals already this season, and you expect him to score more. Chelsea would be nowhere near safety without the former Manchester City man; he is a gem they must protect at all costs.
Chelsea moved into the top half for the first time this year without kicking a ball. Brighton’s 3-0 loss at home to Arsenal helped the Blues to ninth on goal difference, and it can be better if Chelsea can find consistency to win back-to-back league games for the first time since January.
Ben Brereton Diaz has refreshed the Sheffield front line; he has been impressive since joining, and he could be a thorn in the Chelsea flesh on Sunday. Vinnie Souza and James McAtee are two other players that Chelsea must pay attention to; they can deliver magic from midfield.
Raheem Sterling has become a backup option to Mhykailo Mudryk; the Ukrainian hasn’t impressed, but his flashes excite Mauricio Pochettino, and the Argentine manager is hoping his big-money signing will step up soon.
Speaking of big money signings, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo have failed to inspire confidence; their combination isn’t working the anticipated wonders. This is another opportunity for them to show they’re not a wasted force. How will they respond?