Are Chelsea serious title contenders?

It’s been a fantastic start to the season for Frank Lampard and Chelsea as they sit comfortably in third place after nine games, but can the Blues seriously mount a title challenge this year?

Chelsea are in search of their sixth Premier league title this year, and have proved to be serious contenders early on in the season. The high-flying Blues have picked up 18 points out of a possible 27 from their opening fixtures and are in fine form having gone seven games unbeaten in the league.

Pre-season, manager frank Lampard had the tough task of freshening up a squad that was clearly lacking all over the pitch. Chelsea’s defensive record was the worst in the top half of the table last season as they conceded 54 goals due to lack of depth in defence. At the other end of the pitch, Chelsea were good however nothing exceptional and certainly not good enough for title contention.

Lampard managed an exceptional Summer transfer window where he was able to bring in seven new players including four defensive stars in Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr and Edouard Mendy. Whilst 21-year-old Malang Sarr was loaned out to FC Porto, the rest of these signings are now regular starters for Chelsea who boast the second-best defensive record in the league.

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been the standout defensive signing so far, as the Senegalese shotstopper seems to have ended Chelsea’s goalkeeping woes from seasons past. The new keeper embodies Lampard’s new defensive wall, having conceded only one goal from his opening five games in the league.

As well as boasting an excellent defensive record this season, Chelsea are also top of the goalscoring charts. This is largely down to the club’s new attacking force, with new signings Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner leading the attack.

One reason for the excellent current form of Chelsea is Timo Werner. The German has found his form of late with four goals in his last five games for the Blues, the speedy striker is tearing defences apart with his quick feet and has proved himself to be a deadly forward in the Premier League this season.

Another attacker proving his worth this season is 27-year-old Hakim Ziyech. Chelsea fans had to wait until the end of October to see the Moroccan wizard in action after picking up a pre-season injury, however when he finally was handed his full debut he certainly didn’t disappoint.

With three assists and a goal to his name after five games, Chelsea fans will be on the edge of their seats with anticipation to see what more the new Blue has to offer.

This season has been extremely unpredictable so far with huge upsets throughout the league, with other title contenders struggling to keep up with the pressures of Covid-19 and lacking depth in their squads, this could very well be Chelsea’s year.

The Blues’ next league fixture comes at home to league leaders Tottenham, this test will prove to be the toughest yet for Frank Lampard’s rejuvenated squad, as they face a deadly Spurs side on the hunt for their first major trophy since 2008.

This six pointer could well decide whether Frank Lampard’s super Blues have it in them to win a premier league trophy, or if they’re still only top four material.

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