Chelsea were outclassed at the Etihad this afternoon
Manchester City went one step closer to wrapping up the Premier League title this afternoon as they beat reigning champions Chelsea 1-0. But the Chelsea side today were unrecognisable from the side who won at the Etihad last season and went on the win the league comfortably. They lacked energy, they seemed resigned to defeat and showed no invention with the ball.
Much of the blame must lie with the manager, Antonio Conte, who decided not to start a striker; Chelsea lined up with a front three of Willian, Eden Hazard and Pedro. Hazard played through the middle and was extremely isolated in attack. This was a strange tactic but it was effective against Barcelona, as the pace of the trio proved dangerous on the break, but this afternoon Chelsea hardly threatened City's goal.
As Jamie Redknapp put it: "it was like they weren't even trying to go forward." He went on to describe their performance as a "crime against football." That might be slightly hyperbolic but there are very few Chelsea fans who would disagree.
Today's drab performance has sparked a conspiracy theory among fans and even neutrals: that Antonio Conte is actively trying to get himself sacked.
https://twitter.com/richardajkeys/status/970354637487325184
https://twitter.com/CallumWright__/status/970356424504233984
https://twitter.com/Garysonfire/status/970313482393571329
https://twitter.com/Borotas_spirit/status/970357025078116352
https://twitter.com/cfc_banker/status/970356711092604929
https://twitter.com/penroseeh/status/970345946495188993
https://twitter.com/CarefreeDailyFC/status/970317865139261441
https://twitter.com/ehazaa_/status/970340043968585729
If he is really that desperate to leave Chelsea, he could of course resign, but that would mean he misses out on that sweet pay-off.
While his enthusiasm for the job may have diminished somewhat, given the way his relationship with the club has become more fractious over the past year, it is unlikely that he is trying to throw games to get himself sacked.
