That can't be the actual reason surely
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/behind-the-scenes-of-frank-lampards-year-at-chelsea-zb9v8j2vt
It was widely reported in the Times and Telegraph that it was the reason.
It does also fit as Luiz was apart of the pre-season, had just signed a new two year contract and Chelsea were under transfer embargo. Then all of a sudden a few days before the window shut he was sold suddenly. Only reason I remember it is because I thought it was really petty but it fit the evidence.
The stats are supplementary to my point, which is a pretty simple one - their team needs to go up a level to match what City and Liverpool have shown, unless those teams drop off. Of course, only time will tell.
Well the initial comment was that they're not machine like. If you're looking for a attacking machine, then no, they're not. However, defensively they're an incredibly well oiled machine. 14 goals to 15 clean sheets with only 8 goals being conceded from open play that weren't due to a penalty, ridiculous own goals or due to them being down to 10 men in pretty insane. Especially when those figures have been achieved over 20+ games.
For me, they're a bit like a footballing equivalent to Floyd Mayweather. Teams may be able to back them up/get them on the ropes for spells, but even when they do that, they don't really lay a glove on them, then after they've seen what the opposition is like they step out and completely control the rhythm.
Obviously, they have a long way to go to win a title and lots of things can happen. However, what Tuchel has established so far is quite foreboding at this point in time. I agree, man for man they're not the best group of individuals but I see them as having the best cohesion and depth by quite a distance at the moment.