Chelsea disappoints in a draw against Wolves.

Premier League 2021/22, Molineux Stadium: Chelsea were not Chelsea offensively. Thomas Tuchel losing his sharpness and so does the players in a 0-0 draw against Wolves.

What would have been an easy three points, considering Chelsea’s strength, is now only one point. Hats off to Wolves for a good defensive scheme and execution was perfect.

Hindering nearly every sporting event, COVID-19’s rise has affected the team and their morale awfully. Past week, Chelsea’s trio Werner, Lukaku, and Hudson-Odoi were isolated for COVID-19 testing and are currently not with the team. Witnessing this drastic measure and fellow teammates being isolated, breaks apart the team.

Chelsea and their recurring offensive theme.

Thomas Tuchel made two changes after the Everton draw. Jorginho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek had some minor injury issues so Kante, back after hurting himself, and Chalobah were introduced in the midfield.

The start made from Kante’s lovely over-the-top ball to Reece James was just brilliant, however, James could not put it into the net.

It was on the other end that would have been a spectacular goal but ruled out after being offside. This was a wake-up call for Chelsea’s defense to tighten the backline.

The first was in the favor of the host. They were being a better team defensively as well as making offense count at times. Chelsea had nothing to offer in this half of play.

Saul Niguez was called in with Chalobah going out. Thinking about this change, wouldn’t it have been better to start the game with Saul.

A better play from the blues in the 56th minute as they came to attack. Wolves failed to clear the line while Alonso holds the ball-playing one-two with Ziyech. He takes a tight angle shot but it just nicked Sa to hit the near post.

The tactics were changed and Kovacic was brought in for Hakim Ziyech, who failed to make an impression. However, the game then went into silent mode. It was then just running from end to end without attacking for goal.

Chelsea and thier possession play.

Chelsea loves their possession as it seems after the last two matches. Don’t they? Rocking with a 64% possession, they control the pace for the majority of the match.

Firing eight shots out of which only one was on target that was also the case for Wolves but they took four fewer shots than the visitors.

Jorginho, Kovacic, and Kante were missed in the previous matches. N’Golo Kante was brilliant in this outing with two interceptions, 2 tackles, 2 shots blocked, winning 9 ground duels, and completing 5 dribbles.

Thomas Tuchel.

A Chelsea spokesperson said: “We are deeply disappointed that our application was rejected, as we felt we had a strong case for the postponement of today‘s match on the grounds of players’ health and safety.”

Speaking to BBC Sport ahead of kick-off, Chelsea boss Tuchel said they were “disappointed and angry” not to have had the game called off, saying he could not understand the Premier League’s approach.

He said: “We thought we had a strong case regarding the security and health of players, we have seven positive cases, we were made to be in the bus and travel together for three hours, were in a meeting together, in dinner and lunch and the situation does not feel like it will stop.

“We applied to not play and put the situation under control and it was rejected. It is very hard to understand it, we are concerned about the health of the players. We end up with players who play coming from injuries and we take the risk.

“I am worried from a medical point of view, we have had four days of consecutive tests. How will it stop if we are on a bus together and in meetings? We are disappointed, we are a bit angry.”

Speaking after the match, which finished 0-0 at Molineux with Sky Sports, Tuchel expressed further frustration with the situation, adding: “I gave my opinion, the club gave its opinion, we talk a lot about the safety and protecting the players, not so sure we did this today. On we go.

“If we have tomorrow and the next test and the next positive I would like to speak to the Premier League about what they expect. If they make us play against Brentford shall we not arrive or not train? What should we do?

“Everyone is allowed to have an opinion. We had an opinion and the Premier League had an opinion. We agree to disagree.”