Chelsea: Don’t count out experienced players just because of youth success

Chelsea’s youth revolution has monopolized the headlines this season, but the Blues’ experienced players are behind the run of success heading into the international break.

Frank Lampard’s early months as head coach have seen many youngsters at the center of attention for all the right reasons. The effect of all these youth players featuring in Premier League matches and starting XI’s reaches so high that many fans wanted to see every senior team replaced by the young ones. But Chelsea’s performance since the Liverpool match has shown how important experience is.

The players who were at the end of most complaints from the fans were Marcos Alonso, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Willian. Many fans were eager to praise the appealing aspects of the young guys while overlooking the negative parts. Those luxuries were not afforded to senior players, however.

Frank Lampard played with or against a few of those seniors players. He knows there is no substitute for experience. Sometimes a team requires its experienced heads for guidance. Those maligned players and their combined decades in the Premier League, Champions League and elsewhere had a lot to do with Chelsea heading into the international break on an optimistic note.

Since the start of the season, no Chelsea player had been subject to complaints as much as the skipper. He was at fault for many goals the Blues conceded in the opening span.

But in the last couple of weeks, Azpilicueta proved to everyone why he remains one of the best defenders in the Premier League. He has defended well and provided good support in attack. Leader that he is, he also has been a great mentor to the player many fans wanted to replace him, Reece James.

Emerson started the season as the first-choice left-back. But an untimely injury brought Marcos Alonso back to the starting lineup. Starting three matches in a row, Alonso put on a steady shift in defense while providing enough support to the attack. The way he performed will provide a good headache for Lampard to pick his first-choice left-back when Emerson finally regains full fitness.

The player who has been arguably the best Chelsea player last month was Willian. For all the talk about him, the Brazilian has had an immense influence on the team. His defensive work is one major reason he is appreciated for his years at Chelsea, and this season has been no different, especially in terms of how much he has helped protect the right side to support Cesar Azpilicueta. Azpilicueta’s re-emergence has a lot to do with Willians.

The Brazilian has also been very productive going forward. The goals against Brighton and Lille were rewards to his impact. The only thing he needs to do is to make sure its not his typical just 2-3 weeks of brilliant performances in a season.

Experience is vital, but it is only valuable if it has a beneficial impact on the field. Those players have to set a prime example for the youngsters while showing them they can run alongside or even ahead of them.

What we are seeing from Marcos Alonso, Cesar Azpilicueta and Willian can only be good news for Frank Lampard and Chelsea FC.