Chelsea lost to Bournemouth at the weekend, and it was unfortunately more of the same from recent weeks that cost them.
In the Disney+ program The Mandalorian there is a phrase that the Mandalorian people often repeat: “This is the way,” in reference to their steadfast practicing of the belief that they should not remove their helmets and armor in front of others. This same adherence to a belief and the values it inspires, no matter how arduous, is necessary at Chelsea FC.
Of course it’s frustrating that Chelsea lost to Bournemouth and were guilty of many of the same things we have seen in recent weeks. A failure to break down a resolute and professional side mixed with poor decision-making and a lack of discipline, professionalism and organization cost Chelsea three more points. The goal they conceded can’t really be described as anything other than stupid and embarrassing. Neither did the Blues look like they were going to get one back for the faithful in the final minutes.
But let’s remember that Chelsea aren’t actually a very good side. The positivity and early winning form that surrounded Frank Lampard’s appointment have distracted people from this and put a positive sheen on some realities.
A quick look at the club website shows 25 players in the first team squad. Three are goalkeepers, so we’re down to 22. They include the always-injured, no-number-assigned, not even wearing a proper kit in his photo Marco Van Ginkel, and the recently disastrous Ross Barkley. Of the remaining 20, seven are of questionable quality or simply past their best days. That leaves Lampard and us with 13 outfield players who range from good to decent.
Last year Chelsea finished third in a spectacular example of failing forward. They didn’t so much earn third place as were less of a pile of flaming garbage than Manchester United and Arsenal, and they allowed Spurs to be Spurs.
With only 13 outfield players who are actually convincing at this level in a game that requires at least 10 to play and a full bench in reserve, Chelsea are exactly where they should be. They’re struggling because they do not have many players to do the necessary work, and they are tired. It’s that simple.
Chelsea have the Champions League, the Premier League and domestic cups to deal with over the course of the season and barely any players with which to do it. Add the injuries they have had to deal with, including a devastating one to one of the only true match-deciding talents in the squad, and Chelsea are actually doing pretty well despite recent form.
They still must steadily improve and endure. What they must not do is buy needlessly in January, panicking in the hope of immediate improvement with no eye on the future.
If Chelsea are really trying to change and they’re really trying to do things the right way, then they must. They must continue on the path that they’re on and learn from their mistakes.
“This is the way.”
They are exactly where they realistically should be. Frank Lampard is after all learning as a manager as well. He will make as many poor decisions as he does good ones this year. But what Chelsea bet on when they chose him was his work ethic, intelligence and ability to improve. They bet on Frank Lampard the man, and that’s as good a bet as exists in the world. He will learn everything he possibly can from every match, and his side will not repeat the same mistakes in time.
His will and character will eventually work its way through the squad as it slowly takes shape over the next 2-3 years. Endurance, persistence, discipline, patience and dedication to the vision.
This is the way.
On Saturday Chelsea’s defense looked better, until it didn’t. Trust me, this pains no one in the world more than me, but we shouldn’t throw the book at them. A partnership between center-backs and a goalkeeper should be born over 50-60 matches to allow an understanding tp develop. The goal was a disgusting and embarrassing example of a trio of men who have fewer than even 10 games together between them.
We’ll resist yet another dive into the depths of idiocy in modern defending, and why, when there’s still an opposition player in the six yard box, rather than safely and deliberately shepherding him upfield they decided to play an offsides trap as if they were in the open field near the halfway line. Or how they seem to truly believe it is acceptable to think about the importance of their attacking philosophy while still in their own penalty area, and how that idiocy likely has something to do with the inability to keep a clean sheet. Alas, I digress.
This side will improve. There’s talent in there but it’s going to take time. If Chelsea have changed at all though we’ll se it in how they approach things moving forward.
They seem to be developing a set of values. Let us hope that they continue in that direction rather than sacrificing them in some nearsighted nonsensical mess. They must be disciplined, patient, organized and resolute.
This is the way.