Chelsea: Three things to look for as Blues seek rebound

2. Frank Lampard’s Responsibility on and off the Field – The Captain’s Return

There can be no doubting that Frank Lampard must shoulder some blame for recent performances. With there being such a short amount of time between games there will inevitably be wholesale changes. The changes made at half-time in the Arsenal game did improve Chelsea’s play and Callum Hudson-Odoi must certainly be one of the first names on the team sheet.

On the other hand, Timo Werner is due a timeout and going forward the manager really needs to look at how he uses the German. Werner has not only looked out of sorts but out of position. After starting his Chelsea career well, his form has dropped off and the goals have dried up. Lampard must take Werner out of the limelight and coax him back into form.

Once the players have crossed the white line though, Lampard effectively loses control. Whilst he can dictate from the touchline to a degree, it’s really down to the on-field captain to instigate and execute the pre-match plan. Chelsea’s one victory in recent games came at home to West Ham when club captain Cesar Azpilicueta was on the field. Regardless of his pace, his place in the starting XI adds a positive impetus.

Reece James, like Werner ahead of him, would benefit from a spell on the sidelines. Azpilicueta’s presence against the Villans would benefit the team enormously. Despite the strong influence that Thiago Silva clearly is, his lack of English in a team heavily populated by young English players will always be difficult. Jorginho, like Azpilicueta, also lacks game time and his influence is less than clear.

Azpilicueta must start against Villa and when he does watch out for a more cohesive performance than the one witnessed against Arsenal.