Stats prove that four key Chelsea players aren’t delivering

After six defeats in 11 games, and a series of distracting off-field events, it’s hard to recall a more shambolic defence of the Premier League crown than Chelsea’s thus far.

But it’s not only the league table that illustrates the problems the club have endured since their title celebrations in May.

Stats gurus Opta and WhoScored.com, who keep track of every pass, tackle and shot in the top flight, have shown up the drop in performances from four key players.

While the likes of Willian and Cesar Azpilicueta have enhanced their reputations this season, the numbers do not make good reading for Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic.

Star performers misfiring

After their exceptional performances last term, Hazard and Costa were expected to tear the Premier League apart again this season, with some predicting Chelsea could dominate for years to come.

But neither have come close to replicating that form.

Hazard was an ever-present in 2014-15, scoring 14 times and setting up another nine goals. But the Belgian has yet to find the net this season and found himself on the bench for the game with Aston Villa, with boss Jose Mourinho unhappy with his workrate.

Costa, meanwhile, has arguably not been the same since January.

In his first 25 games for Chelsea, up to and including the 5-0 thrashing of Swansea at the turn of the year, he scored 17 goals. But since then, the Spain striker has managed just seven goals in 26 appearances.

And as the above graphic shows, his shot accuracy and conversion rate have dropped off, while Hazard is not attempting as many dribbles as last season.

Engine room trouble

The midfield partnership of Matic and Fabregas was central to Chelsea’s title win.

Matic provided a formidable screen to the best defence in the Premier League, while Fabregas laid on 18 of the Blues’ 73 goals.

The Spaniard was brought in by Mourinho to bring creativity from deep when the front three were shackled.

That worked a treat last season, Costa particularly benefiting, but with Chelsea not dominating the ball in the same way, Fabregas’ workrate, composure and defensive contribution has been questioned.

Matic had his performances questioned publicly by Mourinho after being brought on at half-time during the defeat to Southampton, only to be hauled off again 27 minutes later.

The Serbian has made fewer passes and lost more aerial duels than last season – but as the stats show, he’s far from the only underperforming player in the Chelsea squad this term.