3 things learned from Chelsea 0-0 Southampton

A frustrating night for Chelsea as Southampton defend brilliantly well to take a point from the game at Stamford Bridge. The Blues just couldn’t get past a resilient Saints defence as they parked a titanic in front of the goals.

And when they did manage to sneak in behind, they were denied by Gunn, who was making his debut, or the lineman who was standing tall with the offside flag over his head.

Without further ado, here are three things we learned from the game:

#3 – Chelsea need more creative players

The number of key passes made in this game were easily less than the number of people who still believe that Chelsea would be what it is with Roman Abramovich. The best ball put in for the forwards in the first-half was by Antonio Rudiger as Kante, Barkley and Jorginho failed to deliver.

The second half was no different but the introduction of Cesc Fabregas did spark something. However, he isn’t the solution to the problems right now. Chelsea need to get a creative player in the team apart from Eden Hazard.

Pulisic might be the answer but then again, Sarri needs to play Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the midfield and start Emerson over Alonso. The Italian left-back is very good creatively and can help a lot.

But more than anything, Sarri needs to drop Willian first. Sticking with him on the right wing in like starting with 9 men. Not only is he going to be ineffective, he is going to stop Azpilicueta from making the overlapping runs and keep him out of position.

#2 – The cry for a striker can’t be louder

Let’s face it, Alvaro Morata just isn’t good enough. Yea, he had the ball in the back of the net and it might be a bit controversial to call it offside, but what else did he do in the game?

There was no intent from the striker in front of the goal and he was just lazy while getting forward. He was good while having the ball at the feet and keeping possession but that’s not his main job, is it?

Olivier Giroud isn’t the answer to this and Chelsea need a striker signed. Whether it will be now on in the summer, if The Blues want to challenge for the title next season, a new striker is a must.

Playing False 9 with Eden Hazard might work for the time being but allowing him to play in his favourite position – as a left winger – would be the best thing for all. And if he leaves for Real Madrid in the summer, God bless Chelsea Football Club.

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#1 – SarriBall needs time, sit back and relax

This is one thing I have been stressing on ever since Chelsea appointed Maurizio Sarri. The Italian has a different style of play and it is going to take time. Especially for the set of players who were so defensive in the last two seasons, it’s going to take time to get into the groove of SarriBall.

Right now, it looks like it’s just about keeping possession and passing sideways. But this is just a stepping stone. Remember the Manchester City last season – Fabregas telling David Silva where to pass the ball and all players just sitting back and doing nothing? We don’t want that again, do we?

In short, this is work in progress. There are going to be games in which Chelsea are outplayed, outclasses or ever humiliated. But it’s a learning curve. Sarri has to be given time and only then the club can actually progress.

Guardiola and Klopp suffered in the first season at their Premier League clubs before getting their brand of football up and running. Moreover, both sides have spent big on their squad. The board needs to back Sarri and get him the players that he needs as soon as possible.

It’s going to take time. It’s going to br frustrating for now. But still, get behind the boys and cheer them on in every game!