“Do this If you want to win trophies” – Rafael Benitez tells Chelsea what they must do to stay at the top

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Chelsea’s Loss to Liverpool Offers Hope Despite Concerns

Ask most Chelsea fans what they thought about Sunday’s loss to Liverpool, and you’d likely get surprisingly positive feedback, especially considering the final score. Compared to the struggles of last season, this performance showed signs of hope and potential.

While Chelsea didn’t fully hit their stride or overwhelm the home team, there were moments of promise. Renato Veiga’s header over the bar late in the game could have even snatched a draw for them. Overall, there was plenty to build on, though not everyone was convinced.

Benitez Highlights Defensive Concerns

Rafael Benitez, speaking on Match of the Day 2, was less optimistic than many fans. He raised concerns about the balance in Enzo Maresca’s side, particularly their defensive vulnerabilities.

“They can be proud because they were attacking,” Benitez said. “But if you want to win trophies, you have to keep the balance. You need to be strong in both defence and attack.”

While Chelsea showed great offensive potential, Benitez questioned whether they were doing enough defensively. There were notable moments of weakness, including a soft penalty conceded by Levi Colwill and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s shaky performance. Tosin Adarabioyo also struggled in central defence, prompting an early substitution.

Walcott Questions Chelsea’s Team Chemistry

Joining Benitez as a pundit for the BBC, Theo Walcott echoed similar concerns but focused more on the lack of cohesion in Chelsea’s squad. He noted that while the players were performing well individually, they didn’t seem to be fully functioning as a unit.

“It’s like a team of individuals playing to their own strengths,” Walcott commented. “It’s a team environment, and I feel like they haven’t quite got that yet. At times, they’re just doing their jobs, but as a team, are they doing the job together?”

Differing Opinions on Teamwork

While Walcott questioned Chelsea’s teamwork, others might disagree. Despite the issues, this side showed more spirit and character than they did in many matches last season, where mental weakness was often apparent. The unity and resilience they demonstrated, especially compared to last year, suggest they are moving in the right direction, even if the balance isn’t quite there yet.