Chelsea’s alarming slump in form and confidence takes a new severe twist as Antonio Conte’s side suffer a mauling at Vicarage Road, on a night that saw their key Fantasy asset miss out.
The champions suffered a damaging 4-1 defeat to compound concerns that off-field tensions have affected recent performances.
In Fantasy terms, there was turmoil even before a ball had been kicked with the news that Marcos Alonso – an ever-present for Chelsea this season – would miss out.
The wing-back was absent as a “precautionary” measure according to the club, with a minor muscle injury cited as the reason.
However, post-match Antonio Conte added more detail, indicating that “fatigue” was the main factor behind his absence.
“It’s nothing serious. Alonso is playing every game and we preferred not to take a risk with him because he was a bit tired.”
Alonso should, therefore, be backed for a return in Gameweek 27, particularly with the encounter with West Brom taking place on a Monday night once again.
Alonso’s absence was not to blame for the capitulation; there were many other factors of play, not least the abject performance of midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko who suffered an appalling 29 minutes before picking up a second booking to receive his marching orders.
He’ll now sit out the encounter with the Baggies, though, on current form, he is unlikely to be missed by Chelsea.
Even before the Frenchman’s dismissal, the visitors were woeful and second best to a superb Watford, with little indication that Conte’s side could salvage something from the match.
Hazard finds a way
But, not for the first time, Eden Hazard’s brilliance still managed to come to the fore. Eventually.
He received a David Luiz pass deep in the Watford half before flicking the ball past a defender and curling a superb finish past Orestis Karnezis in goal.
That marked Hazard’s ninth strike of the season, his seventh away from home. The Belgian has now produced four goals and seven bonus points from his last five Gameweeks.
However, the joy from that late equaliser was short-lived, as the Hornets rallied to overrun a beleaguered 10-man Chelsea over the final six minutes.
Looking ahead, Conte’s future at the club seems very uncertain.
Should he remain in charge for next week’s visit from West Brom then we can surely expect Olivier Giroud to earn his debut. He saw 26 minutes of action from the bench on Monday and his introduction immediately released Hazard to find space and, eventually, his goal.
The inclusion of the Frenchman could see Chelsea revert to a 3-5-1-1 or deploy Hazard up in support with one of Willian or Pedro in a 3-4-2-1. It was the latter who gave way to Giroud, making him an early doubt for the Baggies clash.
Andreas Christensen’s re-introduction also looks vital.
The Blues defence – having kept six clean sheets in seven Gameweeks prior to the Gameweek 25 defeat to Bournemouth – were again shambolic without the Dane’s presence. However, it remains to be seen if Christensen can return from a hamstring for Gameweek 27. It would seem unlikely.
Deulofeu inspires Hornets
Watford were just as good as Chelsea were bad and, while it is difficult picking out their star performer, Gerard Deulofeu was inspirational throughout.
He won the penalty for the Hornets’ opener converted by Troy Deeney, before rounding off a superb performance with the final goal himself.
Abdoulaye Doucoure also came away with two assists to claim a third double-figure haul of the campaign, while Roberto Pereyra produced a goal and an assist having appeared from the bench for Richarlison.
That rubbed salt into the wound for the young Brazilian, who had impressed in his 64 minutes but – typical of his recent Fantasy form – came away with another blank.
It’s now five in a row for Richarlison, with his last goal way back in Gameweek 12. Visibly upset by his withdrawal, it’s perhaps significant that Javi Gracia has subbed him on the hour-mark in two successive matches – a fate which he avoided under Marco Silva.
That could open the way for Deulofeu – at 6.0 – to make strides as Watford’s new midfield option of choice. The Spanish winger recorded four shots on goal, three from inside the box, and tied with Deeney on seven touches in the Chelsea penalty area.
Like so many managers, Gracia chose to mirror Chelsea’s formation, opting for a three-man backline. But with Christian Kabasele missing with a hamstring injury, the Hornets brought in Daryl Janmaat and Marvin Zeegelaar as wing-backs, with Jose Holebas and Adrian Mariappa moving to central defensive roles either side of Sebastian Prodl.
On paper, that defence looked likely to struggle against the champions but Watford’s endeavours, coupled with Chelsea’s pitiful performance, ensured that this was never the case.
Gracia can now build on Monday’s stunning victory in three very winnable fixtures. The Hornets visit West Ham in Gameweek 27, before hosting both Everton and West Brom at Vicarage Road. That three match spell could even promote Deulofeu as a short-term differential, particularly as Watford are one of just four teams currently guaranteed their Gameweek 31 fixture, albeit at Liverpool.
