Chelsea are yet to move on from the title challenge that never was. Carelessness is weighing them down at both ends of the pitch and, as Enzo Maresca left after this draw with a spirited Crystal Palace, he could take little solace in seeing further proof that he was right to insist his team are not ready to compete for major honours.
For Maresca, the worry must be that this is becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. The theory that a young group have eased off after hearing their head coach repeatedly play down their chances of challenging is gaining momentum. Is belief lacking? This is still an inexperienced team and the big takeaway from Chelsea’s latest slip is that they still lack ruthlessness.
