EXCL: Reece James untouchable and committed, Ivan Toney one to watch with traditional 9 pursuit possible, Ridiculous calls to sack Poch, Jackson gone into shell, Colwill must play CB, and more....
The Ben Jacobs Chelsea FC column!
The 0-0 draw with Bournemouth proved a frustrating point for Chelsea. Much like the 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest before the international break, it felt like a game from last season.
Chelsea created plenty of chances but just weren’t clinical. There remains a lack of confidence in front of goal.
Raheem Sterling was unlucky with a first-half free-kick that came back off the woodwork, and Nicolas Jackson also hit the post. But two spurned chances summed up Chelsea right now…
The first was a second-half Jackson header that kind of just hit his face. With a little more anticipation he would have had time to set himself and generate more power.
Then late on Cole Palmer burst through the centre, and with Bournemouth defenders backing off, played a poor diagonal pass to Sterling taking him well away from goal. Palmer should have shot. He had plenty of time to pick his spot.
It just feels like the lack of confidence in front of goal is infectious. Jackson is naturally very self-assured and needs to show more of that swagger and personality. We saw it during pre-season, but he’s gone into his shell a little on the pitch.
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