Chelsea: Four lessons learnt in embarrassing loss at Wolves

3. Frank Lampard got this one wrong

Lampard hasn’t had many bad mistakes in how he sets his teams up, but this one was a swing and a miss. Chelsea arguably lost this match on paper before it even began. The 4-3-3 has been the go-to formation this season, but Chelsea’s current lack of fit options on the wings meant a less than half fit Werner and a fit—but always questionable—Pulisic both playing the entire match. It was a high wire act that could have gone horribly awry, but both players made it to the final whistle in good health, although their performances were awful and ineffective, respectively.

In the midfield, Lampard had more options available, but still made a mistake by giving Havertz a second start in four days after an anonymous performance on the right wing against Everton. Kovacic or even Billy Gilmour would have been a better option. That might sound like the benefit of hindsight reigning supreme, but it’s been abundantly clear that Havertz just shouldn’t be out there at the moment.

The defense has turned into a far easier selection choice for Lampard, but the inclusion of James was debatable, as well. James had a testy and exhausting duel against Richarlison on Saturday, and that frustration and fatigue clearly carried over into this match. For all of James’ brilliant technical skill going forward, his work in defense varied wildly between lackadaisical and manic, neither of which were helpful.

Neto’s winning goal came straight down James’ flank while he was caught upfield trying to create an opportunity for his own side. As Neto sprinted forward and Zouma slid over to try and cover, James followed behind the play at something slower than a full sprint, which rendered him useless in the play. Maybe it’s naïve to say so, but go ahead and chalk it up to exhaustion more than laziness or disinterest. Regardless, Lampard should have seen James’ struggles and replaced him with Cesar Azpilicueta, either as a substitute or even as a starter.

All of those incorrect decisions led to the stodgy, unkempt and ultimately disastrous performance that was already going to feel like two points dropped before it became all three dropped. To make only one change with less than 72 hours between matches is pretty damning, and it feels like mismanagement given the strain every player is under as we enter the most compact part of an already tight season.

The one good thing, however, is that these tactical and selection implosions have been few and far between this season. Perhaps Lampard was surprised that Nuno Espirito Santo reverted his side back into its traditional 3-5-2, and was unable to adequately adapt mid-match. Perhaps he needs a mental holiday as badly as the players need a physical one. Whatever it is, something will need to happen to stem the sudden flow of poor performances. The law of averages says things will be just fine.

Chelsea is extremely fortunate to get a weirdly long layoff before West Ham visits next Monday, a break that should give everyone a chance to regroup and refocus. At this time of year, that’s an incredibly rare luxury.

Lampard is not a tactical mastermind or a team selection savant, at least at this point in his managerial career. His poor decisions proved to be the difference maker against Wolves. But he’s had more successes than failures this season, and Chelsea looks to be in good hands under his stewardship for the near future. That said, he needs to be focused and adaptable if he wants to be poised near the top of the table come the new year. On Tuesday, he lacked both of those characteristics, and Chelsea paid dearly. Here’s to hoping it doesn’t happen again any time soon.