Monday 27 April 2015 14:26, UK
Arsenal fans made their feelings clear with a chorus of “boring, boring Chelsea” after Sunday’s 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium - but are they singing in envy or do they have a point?
Here, we dig through the stats for a clearer picture of how Jose Mourinho’s class of 2014/15 rank in the entertainment stakes.
A season of two halves
Chelsea made a blistering start to the season, smashing 15 goals as they claimed maximum points from their opening four games and emerged as clear title favourites.
That free-flowing attacking play and devastating finishing continued throughout the first half of the season as they went unbeaten for 22 games, but the latter half of the campaign has been characterised by a more defensive approach. The results have kept coming, but they have not won a Premier League game by more than a one-goal margin since their 5-0 thumping of Swansea back in January.
Despite Chelsea's 10-point lead at the top of the table, it therefore comes as little surprise that they are behind second-placed Manchester City for goals scored (65 to City’s 70) and chances created (410 to City’s 478), while both City and Arsenal have had more than their 366 shots.
But Chelsea have suffered injuries to a number of key players in recent months – including Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic – and one educated voice in Steve Round labelled the “boring” tag unfair.
“I don’t think you can be boring when you’ve got the likes of Oscar, Hazard and Costa and Fabregas who can pull the strings and play some wonderful football at times,” said the former Manchester United assistant manager on Sky Sports News HQ's Morning View.
“Earlier in the season they were scintillating, some of the football was excellent. But I think Jose knows how to win a league, he knows how to plan a season. All the points mount up and eventually you tip over the edge and you get the title in the bag.”
Comparison
But while Round refuted the “boring” accusations, a comparison between this season and Chelsea's last title triumph in 2009/10 provides more fuel for their critics.
Under Carlo Ancelotti that year, the Blues fired 103 goals at an average of 2.7 per game, compared to their current rate of 1.9. They have also averaged just 11 shots per game this season compared to 16.5 five years ago, their lowest figure since the 2006/07 campaign.
Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas were brought in during the summer to provide a potent goal threat up front and creativity in midfield, and while they have contributed 19 goals and 16 assists respectively, Chelsea have had far fewer efforts on goal than last season, when they averaged 13.4 shots per game.
And what about chances created? This is another area in which Chelsea’s total is comparatively low. Their average of 12.4 per game this season is below the average of 13.7 for title-winning sides over the last eight seasons.
But a more favourable comparison is that Chelsea’s average of 1.9 goals per game is the same as Arsenal’s legendary ‘Invincibles’, who were lauded for their attacking prowess in 2003/04.
They've got it in their locker to be boring, but boring in a good way.
And with Chelsea on the brink of the title following Sunday’s typically resolute defensive display at the Emirates, co-commentator Alan Smith feels Mourinho’s tactical flexibility should not be sniffed at.
“They’ve got it in their locker to be boring, but boring in a good way,” the former Arsenal striker told Sky Sports. “I think there are occasions in the season when you have to be that way in order to get a result.
“Boring? The Chelsea fans didn’t think that I don’t think the players would have thought that during the 0-0 draw yesterday. It’s just a means to end.”
Conclusion
Mourinho responded to Arsenal fans’ jibes in typically mischievous fashion. "I think boring is 10 years without a title - that's boring,” he said in his post-match press conference. “If you support a club and you wait, wait, wait for so many years without a Premier League title, then that's boring.”
Despite Mourinho’s comments, the stats show Arsenal fans do have a point with regards to the Blues’ playing style. Chelsea’s imminent title triumph will not rank highly in terms of pure, attacking entertainment, despite that prolific opening to the season.
But while the current Chelsea side has not come close to matching the last title-winning Blues side in the goals scored stakes, they have become much tougher to beat, losing just twice in 33 games compared to six defeats in 2009/10.
“It’s an art-form in itself,” said Smith of Chelsea’s defensive prowess. “I know it’s not always attractive on the eye but it’s a real string to the bow of any coach to be able to put out a team and perform like that.”
The critics will continue to question Chelsea's methods, but Mourinho and his players won’t care when they are celebrating another league and cup double.
