Blundering Chelsea Finish In Tenth

Well that was the season, that was. Appropriately enough, Chelsea ended the campaign as they began it, by drawing at home to an average team, having led and lost their lead. Back in the August sunshine it was Swansea who defied us. This time around it was the conquering heroes of Leicester City who became the latest in a long list of teams to score in both Premiership matches against Chelsea this season. There was probably also some justice in being overtaken by Stoke City who after all defeated us twice this season in league and cup matches. Unless we can find a way of coping with Stoke, Everton, Leicester, Watford, and West Ham next year, there will be more weeping and gnashing of teeth,

At least Cesc Fabregas temporarily put smiles on faces by slotting home what ought to have been the winning goal from the penalty spot, but guess what, we again conceded a late goal, failing once more to hold on to a lead or keep a clean sheet. Jose Mourinho may have once raved about Thibaut Courtois, but the Belgian is now cultivating a reputation as someone who cannot achieve shut outs. His understudy, Begovic, is at least as bad. Chelsea may sometimes struggle to create chances, they may even struggle to finish off chances that are actually created, but I think that we can safely say that Conte's first challenge is to find defenders who can defend, starting with reliable midfielders who act as a barrier in front of our all-too-often exposed defence. As for the goalkeeping conundrum, there is no telling who will be between the posts come mid-August. One thing is for sure. The flying Hazard must stay - or we can expect another awful season of mediocre fare. It would also be good to see some of the young talent get more first team action, but then this is Chelsea, and pigs will fly before we dip our toes in such courageous manoeuvres as playing our bright young things. Instead, let's brace ourselves for more ludicrous transactions this summer when we ship our young players out to all and sundry and import hyped, overpaid South American stars who don't deliver. It's all so very depressingly predictable. It's all so very Chelsea.

CHELSEA 1 Leicester City 1; half time: 0-0.

Chelsea goal scorer: Fabregas (penalty)

CHELSEA team: Courtois; Azpilicueta; Rahman; Matic; Willian; Cahill; Fabregas; Ivanovic; Pedro; Hazard; Traore. Used substitutes: Abraham; Loftus-Cheek; Tomori.

CHELSEA LEADING SCORERS:

Costa sixteen goals

Willian eleven goals

Oscar eight goals

Pedro eight goals

Fabregas six goals

Hazard six goals

Cahill four goals

Traore four goals

Ramires three goals

Remy three goals