Chelsea Fans Frustrated as Possession-Heavy Football Lacks Cutting-Edge

Chelsea crashed out of the FA Cup after a 2-1 defeat against Brighton on Sunday, February 9. This loss leaves them with only the UEFA Conference League as their last chance to win a trophy this season.

At the start of the season, the Pensioners looked like potential Premier League title contenders. However, their goalless draw against Everton in December marked the beginning of a poor run. Since then, Enzo Maresca’s squad has won only three of their last ten matches across all competitions.

Their latest defeat piles on the pressure ahead of their Premier League rematch against Brighton. Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley slammed the team’s performance, calling their style of play boring and predictable.

Chelsea have abandoned their aggressive approach, returning to a slow, possession-heavy game similar to what fans saw under Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, and Thomas Tuchel. Their lack of urgency against Brighton made this painfully clear.

Despite dominating 57% possession, the Blues failed to break down the opposition. "At the start of the season, people debated whether they could compete for the title," Burley told ESPN. "Now, they’ve fallen back into their old habits."

The 53-year-old Scottish veteran expected some struggles but criticized how the team has reverted to a dull passing game. "They’re playing the same monotonous football that we saw under Potter, Pochettino, and Tuchel," he added.

Against Brighton, Chelsea managed just one shot on target, despite starting Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and Jadon Sancho in attack alongside Christopher Nkunku.

Burley also called out Nkunku, who was supposed to be Chelsea’s main goal threat but has failed to deliver. He believes Palmer’s impact has also declined. "There’s no power in this team," Burley said. "Palmer isn’t as influential as before. And Nkunku? Total waste of money."

Chelsea’s problems extend beyond their attack. Burley pointed out that their defensive frailties have made things even worse. Maresca must find solutions fast if Chelsea wants to turn their season around. His ability to restore confidence and fix their tactical approach will decide whether Chelsea can stay competitive in domestic and European competitions.