The summer’s biggest buyers probably did not need a salutary warning that spending can lead to years of regret. They got one anyway. Chelsea may have paid out over £200 million (Dh950m) this year but their club record arrival joined in 2018 and Kepa Arrizabalaga remains their £71 million white elephant, the shot-stopper who saves too few shots and the goalkeeper who lets in too many goals.
Chelsea may have had their most ambitious overhaul since 2003 but their start has been defined by Arrizabalaga. Perhaps Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool will prove his final game, but that has been said before, and maybe the goal he gifted to Sadio Mane will be his leaving present, but his resale value, already a fraction of his purchase price, is reduced with his every appearance. Arrizabalaga may linger, unwanted, just as Danny Drinkwater does, but Frank Lampard has confirmed that Willy Caballero will start the Carabao Cup tie with Barnsley and, if Edouard Mendy's move from Rennes is not completed, the veteran looks the safer choice for Saturday's trip to West Bromwich Albion.
The Liverpool game represented a chance to kickstart a new era with a statement. Seventeen years ago, Chelsea did that, Roman Abramovich’s first spending spree producing a 2-1 win at Anfield with one of the glamorous recruits, Juan Sebastian Veron, on the scoresheet. There was no action replay, even if Chelsea can hope newer examples of their pulling power, such as Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, have a more lasting impact than Veron.
And yet Sunday arguably felt another defeat for the 2019/20 Chelsea. Lampard was without five of his probable strongest side; Chelsea were at half strength when it is factored in that Havertz is not at his sharpest and was removed in a half time rejig after going down to 10 men. The futuristic forward line surely also includes both Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech, but neither is fit yet.
It is fairer to judge them when they have a competent goalkeeper and when Thiago Silva is marshalling the defence, rather than watching on from the stands, though it is a moot point if a man who turns 36 on Tuesday would have done better than Andreas Christensen in keeping up with Mane in full flight. At left-back, Marcos Alonso was beaten too easily in the build-up to the Senegalese’s opener. Ben Chilwell, the expensive upgrade, should be available to debut soon.
Goalkeeper, centre-back, left-back: they were Chelsea’s three main requirements. It is where there is most scope for improvement and most need. The presumption is that Kurt Zouma is first in line to partner Silva, even if it feels odd that Antonio Rudiger has gone from first- to last-choice central defender. But that speaks to the struggle to find a combination, which Thiago’s leadership ought to help resolve.
Qualifying for the Champions League represented an achievement last season, but not merely because of the imposition of a transfer ban. Chelsea conceded 54 goals, the most by a top-four side in the Premier League years. It is unsustainable – indeed, no one has become champions of England when letting in as many since Tottenham in 1960/61 – even if the figure feels slightly deceptive. Only Manchester City conceded fewer shots last season, but Arrizabalaga’s failings gave Chelsea’s goalkeepers much the lowest save percentage in the division.
The highest in Premier League history was Petr Cech’s 91.3 per cent in a Chelsea team in 2006/07 that also featured Lampard. They were defined by their toughness, but the side he has coached has had a soft underbelly. Mendy, Thiago and Chilwell must be charged with changing that, newcomers told to bring back the Chelsea of old.
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Chelsea v Liverpool player ratings
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CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 4. If Edouard Mendy is arriving from Rennes, the Spaniard did himself no favours in convincing Frank Lampard he should remain Chelsea’s No 1. Another silly mistake by passing straight to Mane for Liverpool’s second while also making some sold saves. Sums up much of his Chelsea career. AFP -
Reece James – 5. Tough night, especially after Chelsea went down to 10-men. Did ok for most of the match but lost Mane for Liverpool’s opening goal. AP -
Andreas Christensen – 2. Cost his team big when they were right in the contest, his sending off for pulling down Sadio Mane changed the game. AP Photo -
Kurt Zouma – 7. Was a rock in Chelsea’s defence. Without his presence, Liverpool could’ve created a lot more chances. Reuters -
Marcos Alonso – 5. Never easy going up against Salah and his defensive frailties were on show. Impact in attack was limited after Chelsea tried to contain Liverpool. Reuters -
N’Golo Kante – 6. A trademark covered-every-blade-of-grass display by the French midfielder, but his influence faded after the red card. AP -
Jorginho – 5. Held his own in midfield prior to Christensen’s red card but like Kante, faded in the second half. His penalty could’ve given Chelsea a lifeline but was a weak effort. PA -
Mateo Kovacic – 6. Same story for Kovacic, who provided plenty of drive and energy up until Chelsea were reduced to 10 men. PA -
Kai Havertz – 5. Glimpses of his class early on but ultimately a frustrating outing for the German. Made way at halftime for Tomori after Christensen’s red. AP Photo -
Timo Werner – 6. Looked early on like he was going to cause Liverpool plenty of problems, but as Chelsea retreated, he was starved of support. Scuffed an effort wide that would have given his team the lead but also won the penalty Jorginho missed. AP Photo -
Mason Mount – 5. Flashed a dipping effort over the bar and looked dangerous on the ball but largely ineffectual. AP -
SUBS: Fikayo Tomori (45’) – 6. Sent into the fray as Chelsea were reduced to 10 men. Had a solid game in the circumstances. AP -
Ross Barkley (79’) – N/A. No real impact as game was lost by then. PA -
Tammy Abraham (79’) – N/A. Same as Barkley. AFP -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson – 8. Penalty saved, clean sheet away to a top four side: can’t say fairer than that. PA -
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6. A quiet performance by his usual sky-high standards but solid enough both in defence and attack. EPA -
Fabinho – 8. Played out of position as a makeshift centre-back, this could have been an uncomfortable night for the Brazilian midfielder. Instead, he won all of his duels and looked at ease in the back line. AP -
Virgil van Dijk – 8. A typical classy display from the Dutchman. Soaked up the few counters Chelsea launched with ease before enjoying a comfortable second half. AP -
Andrew Robertson – 6. Similar to Alexander-Arnold, put in a good display without creating his usual litany of chances. AP -
Naby Keita – 6. Yet another decent display without ever effecting the game. Klopp will want more from the Guinean midfielder. AP -
Jordan Henderson – 7. Withdrawn at halftime due to injury but produced the defining moment of the match after his superb long ball forward to Mane led to Christensen’s dismissal. EPA -
Georginio Wijnaldum – 8. Days after Thiago’s arrival led to suggestions the Dutchman’s time at Liverpool could be ending, he produced a fine all-round performance. The pick of Liverpool’s midfielders. AP -
Mohamed Salah – 6. Usually loves to terrorise his former club but it was a subdued display from the Egyptian forward. EPA -
Roberto Firmino – 7. Did what he does best by setting up Mane’s opener with a pinpoint cross. A lively presence throughout. AP -
Sadio Mane – 9. Was the central figure in the game’s three biggest moments. It was Mane who was hauled down in Christensen’s red card moment, before he scored both of Liverpool’s goals soon after the interval. A gentle early season reminder of the Senegalese forward’s brilliance. EPA -
SUBS: Thiago Alcantara (45’) – 7. Liverpool fans would have been excited to see their new midfielder in action and it was an encouraging first appearance, although he committed the foul on Werner for Chelsea’s penalty. EPA -
James Milner (64’) – 6. Provided Liverpool some fresh legs for the final 25 minutes. Another dependable performance as always. EPA -
Takumi Minamino (86’) – N/A
