The major snag of taking on responsibility is you lose your sense of fun. But just as in real life where such a change is incited in the hope of enhancing character, Chelsea have reached a stage in their own development where they must do so to enhance themselves as a football club.
Frank Lampard led side have been one of the most entertaining in Europe this season. Many of Chelsea’s home and away supporters have reveled in the joy of watching such a free-spirited bunch grow in front of them. But in recent weeks, this exciting collective with their spine of homegrown English talent has been found wanting.
Chelsea were third a month ago, level on points with second-placed Leicester City, sitting comfortably in the top four. But three defeats in their last four league matches have dropped them down to fourth with Manchester United’s mini-revival cutting the gap from fifth down from nine to five.
Undoubtedly, profligacy upfront and lapses at the back have cost Chelsea a whole lot this season with some unscrupulous errors by Chelsea’s backline this season. And while addressing those problems, Lampard requires a mature response as soon as possible just days after a 3-1 loss to a previously underwhelming Everton side.
Chelsea in the English Premier League this season has conceded 24 whooping goals already; making them the team that has conceded most goals among the top 6 table toppers. Furthermore, in Europe, they’ve been the most porous side conceding nine in all of their six group matches. Six of those have come in their last three encounters: a 4-4 at home to Ajax and 2-2 at Valencia.
Both were objectively compelling matches but it is pertinent to give concern as to how easily they were shipping goals. While it was tempting and, perhaps, reassuring to attribute this openness simply to the nature of continental football, the manner of Saturday’s League defeat shows the dearth of the quality backline for Chelsea. Apparently, what happens in Europe has not stayed in Europe for Chelsea; it’s happening in England as well.
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Over the years, David Luiz has been the only Player bought by the West Londoners in January to have thrived tremendously; the rest have had an abysmal stint at Chelsea. Fernando Torres is a perfect example – the Spanish striker made a big-money move from Liverpool in 2011 but the move was characterized by many skirmishes from the club’s fanbase. But that narrative doesn’t mean Chelsea shouldn’t look forward to bolstering their defense.
It is only December but this is undoubtedly a season-defining period for every team participating in the Champions League, and also trying to have a great season in the league that is so competitive as the EPL. Lampard and Chelsea must take a step as to finding a lasting solution to their back pain.
Virtually all the departments at the backline need reinforcements as the current crop of defenders lacks cohesion, composure, and balance. First, of, the heart of the Chelsea defense is not supplying enough to the betterment of the team. We’ve seen this season countless times that Lampard has changed the two center-backs; we’ve seen the pairings of Kurt Zouma/Reece James or Fikayo Tomori/Kurt Zouma.
Perhaps the injury ravaging Anthonio Rudiger has done more damage to the defense of Chelsea but the incertitude is about how the German international can put up his magnificent display for the blues again when he returns to the team.
Apparently, the two full-backs of Chelsea needs quick replacement as it’s a case of neither cold nor hot for the respective full-backs. Cesar Azpilicueta has definitely lost his mojo at the right back and it is understandable for the 30-year-old who has given his all for Chelsea. He no doubt needs a replacement which must be gotten this January.
For the left-back position, Marcos Alonso has not replicated the kind of blissful season he had under Antonio Conte. He has so much enjoyed playing as a left wing-back and not a natural left-back. His numbers haven’t showcased improvement since he began as a natural left-back albeit, injury hasn’t made life easy for the Spaniard, I won’t be surprised if he leaves Chelsea this January.
Emerson Palmieri seems like a temporal adjustment but he needs back-up and needs more composure as most true Chelsea fans don’t seem to trust him so much at the left-back position. By and large, Chelsea must change every personality making up their first eleven at the back four positions.
