Whether or not Chelsea’s season can be branded a success is actually an extremely subjective matter, in that the criteria considered for ‘success’ can vary from fanbase to fanbase. For Chelsea fans, taking into account how inconsistent they were last season, it wouldn’t be surprising if they felt like the team were making progress under Frank Lampard. Until their two recent back-to-back league defeats to Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Chelsea were 17 games unbeaten, with their last loss stretching back to the second gameweek of the Premier League.
Chelsea were one of the few clubs which boasted the resources required to strengthen drastically in the summer, and boy did they do just that. While most of the signings they made have paid off in some sense, not all of them can be branded successes yet either. However, the defensive stability that Frank Lampard has seemingly managed to create, is a commendable achievement on its own. When compared to their poor defensive work of last season, this campaign has seen a massive upturn, both in terms of form, and fortune at the back.
Attacking-wise too, the Blues have been in blistering form since the start of the season. From winning 4-0 on a trip to Sevilla to qualifying top of their Champions League group, Chelsea have been one of the in-form teams of the season so far. But, the recent defeats in the Premier League have put them in a rather sensitive situation. Whether those two outings were just a slight blip, or if they’re the start of things to come, remains to be seen. If they’re hoping to turn things around for the better though, a few players will have to step up to the plate.
Here Are 3 Chelsea Players Whose Performance Levels Must Improve:
3 Chelsea Players Whose Performance Levels Must Improve
Ben Chilwell
The Englishman arrived from Leicester City, but not all Chelsea fans were convinced as to whether he was the right man for the job. Much to their surprise, the former Leicester City man took to life at Stamford Bridge like a duck to water and has slotted in extremely well. Undoubtedly one of the best left-backs in the league, his attacking play tends to be quite brilliant. Over the last few weeks though, he hasn’t been quite up to the pace. If Chilwell is able to get back to the form he showed in the early parts of the season, especially from a defensive perspective, then Chelsea’s chances of keeping clean-sheets would immediately improve.
Kai Havertz
The German starlet was acquired from Bayer Leverkusen to much fanfare, but surprisingly, the move hasn’t worked out quite to plan. The attacker seems completely out of place in the midfield of this renowned Chelsea team, but that takes nothing away from the ability that he possesses. Getting used to the sheer pace and energy of the Premier League can be a difficult task for any player, and with someone as technically gifted as Havertz in the equation, that was only going to get harder. Lampard should stick with his guns with the German despite his form, as eventually, he’s almost assured to become one of the best players in the entire division.
Timo Werner
Another one of Chelsea’s summer signings, the German speedster started the season in exceptional fashion. Although Werner has been included in this list, it doesn’t mean that his performances have been bad. When compared to his exploits from last season though, it’s understandable that Chelsea fans expect more from him. One of the biggest factors for that could be Lampard’s decision to use him on the flank more often than not. While it’s no secret that Werner likes to drift to the left, playing him in a more central role would allow him the space required to make runs in behind, and over the course of the season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him move back into that position.
