Mauricio Pochettino calls for improvements from Chelsea's young players following loss to Wolverhampton

The Blues have more Premier League losses in 2023 than any other club

Following a deflating 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton at Molineux Stadium on Christmas Eve, no team has lost more Premier League matches than Chelsea in 2023 with 19. Striker Christopher Nkunku scored his first goal for the Blues but it wasn't enough to offset Matt Doherty and Mario Lemina scoring for a Wolves side that has rapidly improved under manager Gary O'Neil. The Blues will now enter Christmas 10th in the Premier League. Despite spending 467 million euros on new players this season, there has been no improvement under manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Last season, through 18 games, Chelsea had 26 points. This season, at the same point, they're off the pace that saw Thomas Tuchel exit, with only 22 points. In the table, they're slightly ahead of where they finished last season, in 12th. Missed chances have continued to haunt Chelsea, and their finishing has been an issue for a while. Underperforming their expected goals in 10 of 18 matches this season, Chelsea actually won the xG battle against Wolves 2.05 to 1.31, but the one that matters is the final score, which favored the Midlands club.

It does, however, provide one glimmer of hope in the form of Nkunku. In only 32 minutes on the pitch, the French forward was able to take four shots on his 17 touches, scoring a goal. If Nkunku can assist in turning those shots into goals, it may be enough to turn the Blues around, but they need consistency under Pochettino. With Enzo Fernandez missing time and the wingers not performing, there has been plenty of rotation, but with Nkunku getting back to full fitness, one spot in the XI will be secured.