Chelsea is definitely better than last year - they are quite a good attacking team in any open game and Brighton was a terrible matchup in that regard. They basically just let it become end-to-end and played right into Chelsea's hands. Doesn't help that they have done nothing to address their huge weakness in central defense, which Chelsea exploited time after time with Jackson pulling defenders apart and Palmer profiting. I felt like they had a good chance to be 4th this year but I still think there's a substantial gap between them and the top 3 and we are going to see it whenever teams slow them down and control the game, which I expect us to do against them.
Their central defense is still very weak aside from Colwill, who's main strengths are on the ball IMO, and they are dead set on building from the back without a keeper who is great on the ground. I think our press is going to eat them up and then it will just be about managing those transitions. If we have our first choice midfield back for the game at the Bridge, I think we are going to cruise, but I do think Chelsea will continue to beat up on smaller teams that play into their hands. Their last couple of terrible seasons have lulled these teams into some complacency and they are taking advantage of it but this next run of fixtures will be a real test. Palmer is awesome though - really glad that he's no longer at City as he would be a perfect cover for KDB right now, instead of that pretender Foden.
