Bridge Banter: Chelsea face difficult choices (From Your Local Guardian)

Bridge Banter: Chelsea face difficult choices

1:41pm Friday 2nd September 2011 in Chelsea By Tim Harrison

Despite a sublime goal from a re-energised Jose Bosingwa last weekend, Chelsea still look worryingly below par.

On paper, a 3-1 win against Norwich seems routine, but the result was only properly secured at the death, thanks to a late finish by debutant midfielder Juan Mata.

In fact, the Blues’ third goal came in the 11th minute of stoppage time; the strung-out ending caused by Didier Drogba being stretchered off with concussion.

Norwich played the last 20 minutes with 10 men, with 20-year-old sub Declan Rudd between the sticks in place of John Ruddy, red-carded for upending Ramires.

It is difficult to pinpoint why Chelsea don’t look the full ticket, but it may be that players are trying to focus on new manager AVB’s instructions so much that they are losing sight of the big picture.

Although John Terry is still an effective leader and motivator, he is being caught out by the pace of opposition forwards.

Branislav Ivanovic appears distracted, Fernando Torres – after an initial improvement – is still short of scoring confidence, and Hilario, while a useful reserve goalie, is no Petr Cech.

Both Cech and defender David Luiz should be fit for the next game at Sunderland on September 10.

It’s too soon for fans to start tearing their hair out, and it’s no disgrace to sit fourth in the toughest league in the world after two wins and a draw. But the blistering early form of traditional slow-starters Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City are something to think about.

Put it this way. Are United sweating about Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford in a fortnight?

“We're not in our full flow yet,” admitted Frank Lampard this week. “We can certainly play better as a group.”

As that draughty transfer window is pulled closed, and the fiddly locks are done up, AVB and assistant Robbie Di Matteo can at last place every available name on the tactics table and determine the best mix. It may involve some radical choices.