Frank Lampard will be satisfied with his new-look side but knows the old problems are still lurking in the backgroundIf title challenges are built on the ability to grind out scrappy 1-0 wins on the road, then Chelsea are not ready to catch Liverpool and Manchester City. An attack infused with elite Bundesliga talent is not enough.With Kepa Arrizabalaga flapping behind a defence that still gives too many chances away, the same old weaknesses remain impossible to ignore. In the end Frank Lampard could speak about resilience and determination. Related: Reece James lights up the night as Chelsea ride their luck at Brighton Related: Wolves catch Sheffield United cold through Raúl Jiménez and Romain Saïss Continue reading...
Chelsea’s big summer spree means there can be no excuses about the manager’s inexperience or the need to learn the jobLast summer, a host of clubs had begun to express an interest in Kai Havertz. He seemed the model of the modern German attacking midfielder: powerful, quick, intelligent and with a capacity for scoring goals. That a year later he has chosen Chelsea is significant, not just for what he may bring on the pitch but because of what it says about the developing project at Stamford Bridge – particularly given Havertz was so keen to join he waived his signing-on bonus. This feels like a statement signing in the best possible sense and with that will come expectation. Related:...
Chelsea under their former player are regularly being undone on the counter, leaking goals in a manner that suggests Manchester United could take advantage in FA Cup semi-finalO n the opening weekend of the Premier League season, Chelsea went to Old Trafford, controlled possession for long periods, hit the woodwork twice and were beaten 4-0, shredded on the break again and again. The pattern for Frank Lampard’s first season in the Premier League was immediately set: Chelsea, good with the ball; not so good when they lose it. They have lost twice more to Manchester United since and, on Sunday afternoon, face them again in an FA Cup semi-final.Lampard is widely considered to have had a decent campaign. Even with...
For all their attacking vim Chelsea are vulnerable to rapid counterattacks, and José Mourinho’s Spurs can take advantageW hen José Mourinho arrived at Tottenham a month ago, his side trailed Chelsea by 15 points. Six league matches later, Spurs will go above Frank Lampard’s side if they beat them at home on Sunday. The turnaround has been remarkable, not only in the way Spurs seem to have rediscovered their edge but in the withering of Chelsea. From apparently clear skies a crisis is approaching and the next two months feel critical for Lampard’s managerial future.Nobody at Stamford Bridge is grumbling too much yet. Lampard, as one of the club’s greatest heroes, was always going to be indulged more than some...
Leicester and Chelsea managers have set out their stall with attractive football thanks to the likes of Maddison and PulisicGareth Southgate was probably right to play down the significance of last weekends Liverpool v Manchester City showdown from an England point of view. Only three members of his present squad played at Anfield and featured in the starting lineup against Montenegro, even if one more came on as a substitute, and as the England manager pointed out there might have been double that number in times gone by.Yet despite most predictions, the Premier League is not turning out to be quite the two-horse race originally envisaged. Leicester City and Chelsea stand between the leaders and the defending champions, and by...