Chelsea: Three key clashes as Blues look for edge over Fulham

Chelsea's English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (R) celebrates scoring their third goal during the English FA Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Morecambe at Stamford Bridge in London on January 10, 2021. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 21: Mason Mount of Chelsea battles for possession with Mark Noble of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on December 21, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

2. A derby that doesn’t really feel like one versus expectations

Chelsea versus Fulham is a derby between two clubs practically on top of one another. Except it really doesn’t feel like a derby is about to be played. There are numerous reasons for that like Fulham having been in the Championship more often than not as of late but the edge simply isn’t there.

At least, that is from the Blues side. Fulham will surely want to win this one at all costs. Derbies like this go on the back burner for clubs like Chelsea but it is front and center for clubs like Fulham. Even if they don’t stay up, a win against Chelsea would be a mighty scalp for them.

But that some sense of urgency just doesn’t appear to be there on the Chelsea side. A win is almost a must just for Frank Lampard’s job security but there doesn’t seem to be the same sense of a derby incoming like before playing Arsenal or Spurs.

Related Story. Chelsea: A smaller squad would work wonders for Frank Lampard. light

Perhaps that will play into the Blues’ favor though. In recent matches the Blues should have shown basic levels of motivation, the team looked as though they couldn’t be bothered. The level of effort put in against Arsenal was appalling and perhaps the occasion weighed down on the team. In that sense, it may be easier for Chelsea to play their game in a derby against Fulham where the expectations don’t feel as do or die.

Chelsea will be expected to win. They must for Lampard’s sake. But this might be a case where the lack of a sense of urgency helps instead of hurts the Blues.

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