Chelsea no longer playing like Premier League leaders - despite victory over Newcastle

Kurt Zouma controls the ball (GETTY IMAGES)

Top of the league, but no longer playing like league leaders. That was the conclusion to be drawn from Chelsea’s defeat of Newcastle on Saturday, a victory achieved despite being outplayed for much of the first half.

Unlike Chelsea, Newcastle failed to convert chances into goals, but the league leaders’ initial struggle did raise questions about their own squad, specifically Jose Mourinho’s reliance on a small cadre of players.

Assistant manager Steve Holland ascribed Chelsea’s sluggish performance to the demands of the Christmas fixture list. “It’s very difficult to hit the levels people expect every week, particularly in this country because we play so many matches, especially at this time of year. The players have had a real battering over Christmas and to reach the level everybody wants to see week in, week out, is almost impossible."

There may be some truth in this, but it begs the question why, with four Premier League matches being played in 11 days, Mourinho asked eight of his players to start all of them, and two others to start three.

There is no mistaking that Chelsea look jaded at present, but it is not just post-Holiday programme exhaustion. Gary Cahill was dropped - the club claim he was rested, but they have rarely rotated in the league previously this season. Oscar, Nemanja Matic and Branislav Ivanovic are among those also looking in need of a break while Cabella and Sissoko both embarrassed John Terry. There was even a muscle injury, hitherto rare this season, with Cesar Azpilicueta suffering a groin problem.

In Felipe Luis Chelsea have a £15.8m understudy, so a few weeks’ absence for Azpilicueta ought not be a problem, but is a worryingly precedent. Mourinho’s decision, in the pre-Christmas period, to play virtually a first XI in a dead rubber in the Champions League against Sporting Lisbon, and a strong side in the Capital One Cup at Derby, may have been unwise. Including internationals Chelsea’s regular first XI have all played at least 25 matches this season, some more than 30, many following on from a World Cup summer. Depending on cup success Chelsea have 22-33 matches to play this season. The likes of Matic will play around 60 fixtures.

‘So what?’ may chorus some old-school players. ‘We did that on mudheaps, with limited medical support, while sinking pints and eating bacon butties.’ But the pace of the game is much quicker these days and improved medical care is a mixed blessing as players come back from injury so quickly their bodies have less time to rest. If Chelsea are to realise their ambitions this season Mourinho may have to trust his support players more.

He could even test the mettle of Chelsea’s crop of young players who so far have had first-team opportunities as restricted as ever. If Kurt Zouma’s assured performance in Cahill’s place is anything to go by Chelsea do have players of potential – albeit Zouma, having been signed for £12m from St Etienne at 19 a year ago is hardly an academy product.

Mourinho’s own thoughts on his squad’s physical condition are unknown. The manager, sulking after being charged with misconduct by the Football Association for claiming referees are biased against Chelsea, is refusing to talk to written or broadcast media. A Chelsea official said the club was fully supportive of Mourinho’s stance adding they thought the debate he opened up on refereeing was worth having, which may help explain Mourinho’s pique at a thoroughly justified charge.