Chelsea’s poor goal return from set-pieces this season has been a major talking point, despite the club’s significant investment in set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva.

Hired for a hefty £750,000 after a successful stint at Brentford, Cueva has been tasked with improving Chelsea’s set-piece conversion.

However, as the Blues approach their match against Wolves, statistics reveal that they’ve been unable to capitalize on corner opportunities as effectively as expected.

Bernardo Cueva’s Role in Chelsea’s Set-Piece Strategy

Cueva, a 38-year-old Mexican set-piece expert, watches every Chelsea game from a specific spot on the bench, closely monitoring the action on multiple screens.

He constantly communicates with Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, to ensure that their set-piece strategy is being implemented effectively.

However, as Chelsea prepares to face Wolves, it’s clear that their set-piece performances have not yet lived up to expectations.

Chelsea’s Set-Piece Struggles Exposed in Recent Statistics

Chelsea has taken 131 corners this season, but the return from those set-pieces has been dismal, with just three goals scored, resulting in a conversion rate of only 2.3%.

Maresca, upon reviewing the statistics, concluded that Chelsea needs to be more clinical in front of goal, especially considering their struggles to convert chances from open play.

For comparison, last season—without a set-piece coach—Chelsea scored nine goals from 202 corners, which was a conversion rate of 4.5%.

Wolves’ Weaknesses Could Be the Key for Chelsea

As Chelsea prepares for their match against Wolves, they are targeting their opponent’s vulnerabilities in set-piece situations.

Wolves have conceded 17 goals from set-pieces, and their zonal marking has often been chaotic.

Cueva, known for his meticulous preparation, will likely exploit this weakness, with players like Tosin Adarabioyo—signed in the summer for his aerial presence—potentially playing a key role in Chelsea’s set-piece attack.

Chelsea’s Key Players and Set-Piece Takers

Chelsea’s set-piece takers, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez, are expected to play crucial roles in upcoming matches.

Palmer typically takes left-footed corners from the right side, while Fernandez takes right-footed corners from the left.

With Reece James returning from injury, his contributions on dead balls may provide a fresh dynamic in Chelsea’s corner-taking strategy.

A Reminder of Chelsea’s Historic Set-Piece Glory

Chelsea has a strong history with set-pieces, most famously in the 2012 Champions League final, when Didier Drogba’s goal from a corner sealed their victory.

With this legacy in mind, the current squad hopes to reignite their set-piece potency, especially against weaker opposition like Wolves.

As Maresca faces mounting pressure for a win, Chelsea’s set-pieces could prove to be a valuable tool in securing a crucial result.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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