Chelsea, the London club is known to love chaos. It’s the only constant at the English club bought by the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Currently, it sits at 6th with 26 points same as Aston Villa who have played 2 games less. To most fans, this is unacceptable after the club spend £200 million on new players. But is it?
Lampard has had 18 months at the club. In that time he has eased Kepa, Rudiger, Alonso, Jorginho, Willian, Pedro, Azpilicueta either out of the club or the playing XI. He has brought in youth in Mount, James, CHO, along with some world-class players in Ziyech, Werner, Havertz, and Mendy. The team looks like a world-beater on paper. The thing is, football is not played on paper but on the ground and this is where Chelsea are falling short.
Lampard’s first season at the club was an overachievement. With a transfer ban in place, Chelsea should have slipped down to mid-table but due to a strong Youth academy and some luck, Chelsea were able to qualify for the Champions League. That overachievement has somehow increased fans’ expectations who now believe Chelsea should win either EPL or Champions League this year since they managed to come 4th last season. Last season’s performance has warped people’s knowledge of how a team is made. It takes a hell of a lot of time for players to gel and perform at their full potential. Just look at the Liverpool team who now are the best in the world, they too struggled for the first couple of years when Klopp arrived.
Lampard’s has so far removed the deadwood and solidified the defense. His next challenge is to mold the team into a winning machine. Ziyech is out injured, Havertz is out due to COVID-19, and Werner hasn’t found his feet yet. Luck hasn’t been on Chelsea’s side this year. Lampard needs to steady the ship and surmount a title challenge for the next year. Chelsea fans who think the team should win a trophy this year certainly do not know how football works.
There is no alternative for experience. The new players need time, Lampard needs time! I’m not sure if the board is willing to give them that time.
