Chelsea's poor start from set pieces might not be as bad as first thought
Even before the international break had started, fans, whether they are of Chelsea or other clubs, have been questioning the appointment of the new set piece coach, Austin Macphee, after the 46-year-old joined from Aston Villa in the summer after having a successful stint at Villa Park over the past five seasons.
MacPhee's tactics made Aston Villa one of the most dangerous sides from set pieces, scoring 70 goals from set pieces over the course of his five years with the Villains, and he came to Stamford Bridge to try to make Chelsea more dangerous when it came to getting more goals from corners and free kicks.
From the outside, Chelsea’s start to the season defending set pieces, particularly corners, looks poor. The Blues have conceded five set-piece goals, the most in the league, from 3.0 xG.
However, there is a positive side to the numbers. Chelsea are also joint-top alongside Brighton for goals scored from set pieces, converting 1.8 xG into four goals. Their set-piece record is therefore not simply a defensive problem; it is an area where Chelsea are also proving highly effective at the other end.
The freshest memory Chelsea fans will have of this occurring would have been in the last game before the international break against Brentford, although Chelsea have visually imposing players, their physicality doesn't always show when it comes to outmuscling players.
Although many people will point the finger at MacPhee for the lack of defensive cohesiveness when it comes to defending set pieces, some of the blame has to be given to Xabi Alonso too, for how he sets up his team and for the early parts of the season how open they've been and allowed so many chances.
Some could sympathise with Alonso in that he hasn't always had his best 11 available, and therefore can't keep a consistent system and way of playing throughout his side, chopping and changing between formations and personnel.
But you know what they say, a good handyman doesn't blame his tools.
Although this seems like a negative piece, in my opinion, the Brentford game highlighted Chelsea's flaws from corners, with smaller players being bullied by Brentford's might. When Xabi Alonso can get his side fully fit, although this doesn't seem likely at the moment.
MacPhee's tactics have shown to be sustainable and productive over the course of a Premier League season; with the players at their disposal, like Lacroix, Colwill, and even someone like Welbeck, could all be assets when it comes to scoring and making more use of their set-piece opportunities.
With this recent criticism, Bournemouth on October 10, may be a good matchup when it comes to set pieces, with the Cherries yet to score a goal, and conceding the third most from them, so a shutout and a set piece goal will be just what the doctor ordered for Chelsea this weekend.
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