Chelsea‘s poor form of late continued as they could only manage a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge against Leicester City on Saturday.
The Premier League champions were unable to break the deadlock and were fortunate not to conceded themselves.
Here’s what we learned from the encounter.
MORATA WOES PERSIST
The good news for Alvaro Morata is that he didn’t add to his six one-on-one misses over the previous two games. The bad news is that he didn’t even do enough to get into a decent goal-scoring position.
The Spaniard struggled to get involved in the game. His best moment came when he ran down the left flank, got to the byline and forced a corner.
He failed to register a single shot on goal despite playing the full 90 minutes and his touch let him down on a few occasions as well. He’s now gone five games without scoring, compounding Chelsea’s goal-scoring woes.
Alvaro Morata
CONTE NO LONGER SITTING PRETTY
Antonio Conte is starting to come under pressure at Stamford Bridge after a second listless 0-0 draw within days. The Italian was criticised for his lack of attacking play against a depleted Arsenal side in their midweek League Cup semi-final clash at home.
The Blues were equally underwhelming in the final third against Leicester and in fact were lucky not to concede with the home support growing frustrated with their side.
There were several moans and groans around the Bridge over the course of the game as the home team failed to create anything of note.
Conte’s bold decision to sub off both Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard before the hour-mark was also met with discontent and was a move that ultimately didn’t pay off.
Antonio Conte
MAHREZ THE SPARK CHELSEA NEED
Riyadh Mahrez has been in phenomenal form and delivered another masterclass against Chelsea.
He may not have helped Leicester break the deadlock but he was the one who looked most likely to. The Algerian was different class, weaving his way past blue shirts and creating chance after chance.
His acceleration, touch and vision had the Chelsea defence scrambling. With Hazard often being crowded out, Chelsea could do with another creative force cut from the same cloth and Mahrez certainly fits that billing.
It’s a known fact that he’s been angling for a move away from Leicester since the end of their title-winning campaign and while he’s been consistently linked with a move to Arsenal, perhaps Chelsea should’ve lodged an interest.
Will they end up regretting opting for Ross Barkley instead?
Riyad Mahrez
