Chelsea Tactics and Transfers: Defending what we can after Sheffield draw

Chelsea didn’t capitalize on a two goal lead at home to a likely relegation contender over the weekend. And yet that is not the worst thing to take from the match.

Once again, as regrettable as it is, we need to address an incident including some racist behavior on social media towards a Chelsea player over the weekend. Though he is a good man, admirable professional, a full French international and two-time Premier League title winner, Kurt Happy Zouma was the target of the interminably weak-minded cowards who not only shelter such idiotic feelings of racism but use the Internet to mask their impotence and overall failed existences.

Let’s be clear on one thing: As a lifelong Chelsea supporter and simply a member of the world at large, if you are one of those people who dole out racist abuse you have no place in this

club

world.

You are not a Chelsea supporter and you’re not welcome at our club. You are not a football fan, you are not a member of our society and you are the sort of weak embarrassment that stains not only sport but humankind. Shame on you and on anybody who fosters this sort of behavior.

Edmund Burke said “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” That phrase must always be remembered honestly.

Sport is a wonderful thing. It has the power to unify, teach and relieve people of their pains. We cannot lose those values to depths of society who might pollute it with their barbarism.

That said, we can now somberly move to football.

People are wrongly reacting to Chelsea’s present form in a litany of ways.

The first is that Chelsea look better in attack after a few matches under Frank Lampard than they did in a full season under Maurizio Sarri. Therefore, if Sarri was some sort of genius as many legions of people would like to have us believe, then Frank Lampard must be some sort of demigod not comprehensible by the minds of man.

Second, this is exactly where Chelsea should be. They were not very good in defense last season either. If you are like me and believe that one of the top five defenders in the game – or at least one of the players in the conversation for that group – should always be at Chelsea FC, and that the defense isn’t simply a matter of keeping goals out but a matter of pride in the club, then, believe me, I share your disappointment.

The defense is not very good. Chelsea were not able to add a defender in the summer, which they undoubtedly would have if not for the transfer ban. Antonio Rudiger is injured, and the rest of the squad has only been together for a few matches in a brand new system. The team will need time to gel, and with that bond will come a better defensive system of organization and better defensive action. Therefore, the side are about where they should be.

Third, the amount of youth playing is a wonderful thing. What makes it even more incredible is how the players who have carried the side have been the young homegrown ones and not the supposed old heads and more experienced players. There’s enough evidence to argue that Chelsea should follow where this pattern leads and play more of the youth players more often.

Finally, the team that Chelsea most resemble at the moment is Liverpool in their early Jurgen Klopp period. They were delightful in attack and a great team to watch. But they were naive at times and showed exactly the sort of issues Chelsea are demonstrating now.

This is going to be a necessary year of growth and character building. If Frank Lampard can develop a Chelsea-born spine for this team, the Blues will end the season in better shape then we ever imagined.

Finding 3-5 young players who can wear Blue for the next decade and who care about the club will be a wonderful thing. That is why youth players are so important. Players like Tammy Abraham, who have been with Chelsea since they were single-digit years old and actually care about the club, are important.

Chelsea, much like Manchester United in recent years, have spent too long stocking their shelves with uncaring imbecilic players who enjoy the lifestyle of a professional footballer without understanding exactly what it means. As a footballer you are the representative of the club, the support and the culture of the badge you wear. It should be an honor to do so and if it isn’t, that’s fine, but you should move on.

Chelsea need more players who understand Chelsea, Chelsea supporters, who we are and what we want.

Frank Lampard will find those young men this season and they will be the core of a new era at Stamford Bridge that the club has not had in a long time. A few goals dropped here and there is OK if that is the price that we have to pay.

There’s no need to be worried. Chelsea are exactly where they should be and that should be a joy for everyone.