The FOUR Major Issues That Chelsea’s Defeat To United Has Exposed

Content Editor

4 years ago

Tags: Chelsea, Manchester United, Michy Batshuayi, Pedro, Willian

Chelsea were left to rue missed opportunities against Manchester United. The profligacy in front of goal, combined with poor defensive organisation has come back to bite them at Stamford Bridge once again.

It is a familiar tale which has left them with just one win from their last six league games. The drop in form couldn’t have come at a worse time with the race for the top four beginning to narrow.

The poor results are the consequence of the Blues failing to deal with a number of issues; some of which could have been resolved in the January transfer window.

Press the “next page” as we look at the four major problems that manager Frank Lampard is facing.

Lack of depth up front

Michy Batshuayi had two shots against United, neither of which were on target. He should have done a lot better from the cutback from Mason Mount in particular, and his lack of confidence in front of goal showed why Lampard was desperate to sign a striker in January.

Tammy Abraham’s ankle injury means the Chelsea boss may well have to turn to Olivier Giroud when the Blues face Tottenham this weekend. Considering the Frenchman wanted out in January, that is hardly an ideal situation going into such an important game.

Two players with their heads elsewhere

In addition to Giroud, there are major question marks over the futures of Willian and Pedro. Both players have contracts that expire in the summer, and there has been no indication that they will be signing extensions.

Injuries to Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic meant Lampard had no choice but to start the pair, but neither covered themselves in glory, with it looking like both are already thinking about where they will be playing their football next season.

A defensive muddle

As well as the goalkeeper situation, Lampard seems unsure about what his best back four is. The decision to keep faith with Cesar Azpilicueta ahead of two naturally left-sided fullbacks is baffling.

On top of that, he doesn’t seem to trust any of his centre-backs, apart from Antonio Rudiger. Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori have been in and out of the eleven this season, and the club’s defensive record has not improved no matter who has been picked to start.

Youngsters out on their feet

It was telling that Reece James was the only Englishman to start the defeat to United last night. At the beginning of the season, the likes of Tomori, Mount, Abraham and Hudson-Odoi were all starting regularly.

However, due to fitness issues, Lampard has been forced into turning to the more experienced players in the squad, and it hasn’t paid off. He will be hoping that some of the youngsters return fit and firing for the Premier League run-in.