Chelsea Blues’ Clues: Problems Lampard needs to solve to avoid the sack
By Varun Dani
2. Trim the squad
Speaking of dressing room unrest, there are plenty of murmurs that collective player happiness has taken a hit over the past few weeks. While on-field results seem to have played a huge part in that, the same can be said for the size of the squad under Lampard’s tutelage. Chelsea so far has three players vying for the left back spot, five first team centrebacks competing for two spots, three first team goalkeepers and three natural strikers competing for the one starting spot. It is no surprise then that there has been plenty of displeasure over lack of game time from all parts of the squad.
Fikayo Tomori and Antonio Rudiger have both been stuck in limbo as back-up defenders, with neither being highly rated by Lampard at the moment. While Tomori looks for a permanent move away, Rudiger has been quite vocal about his lack of opportunities in the media without directly implying that he wants out. While each of them had opportunities to leave in the summer, both went on stay against Lampard’s instructions and have been visibly frustrated with their lack of involvement.
The world’s most expensive keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, has been a footnote ever since Edouard Mendy’s arrival at the club. It wouldn’t be shocking to eventually find out that he and his banished Spanish compatriot, Alonso, have had decisive impacts in the current dressing room situation. While Abraham and Giroud have both got more opportunities than the rest of the mentioned players, one can only image what went through their heads as they watched Werner flop against City, as unused substitutes.
Lampard and the board immediately need to move some sections of the squad in this transfer window, even if it is not to the players’ liking. The club needs to re-establish the fact that only the people in charge dictate who stays and who goes, even if the financial terms of doing it are not ideal. The notion that the club still fully backs the manager needs to re-affirmed, through actions and not empty statements.