Chelsea Faces Injuries, Player Questions Amid Premier League Struggles

Chelsea FC is currently facing significant challenges, reflected in their disappointing home loss to Sunderland and their ninth-place standing in the Premier League. Key issues include a lack of effort and energy from players during matches, as well as tactical shortcomings such as slow ball movement and ineffective attacking play, with no Chelsea players ranking among the Premier League's top chance creators. The team also struggles defensively, conceding goals from set-pieces like long throws and lacking strong aerial presence. Injuries to important players like Cole Palmer and the fatigue of others have exacerbated these problems, though even with a full squad, tactical adjustments are needed to improve performance. Additionally, Chelsea is likely to see some player departures in 2026, particularly among goalkeepers and underperforming defenders, as the club looks to restructure. Meanwhile, efforts to sign promising young talent such as Bayern Munich's Lennart Karl have hit setbacks, with the player committed to his current club and supported by former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack.