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Chelsea vs Newcastle: 3 Blues Lampard should drop

By Aryan Singh

Chelsea's English caretaker manager Frank Lampard (L) shakes hands with Chelsea's Ukrainian midfielder Mykhailo Mudryk (R) as he leaves the game, substituted during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on May 25, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / 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 OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's English caretaker manager Frank Lampard (L) shakes hands with Chelsea's Ukrainian midfielder Mykhailo Mudryk (R) as he leaves the game, substituted during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on May 25, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / 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 OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea
Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea reacts after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on May 25, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea

The Chelsea legend has struggled with the Premier League’s pace in recent appearances, as his age is evidently catching up with him. But that isn’t actually my primary reason for wanting him to be benched.

Blue to the core and with a gladiator’s heart to boot, the 33 year old has been an excellent servant to the club, while also being another proud member of the ‘He’s won it all’ club. With a squad clear-out all but confirmed during the summer window, it is likely that the Spain International will be among the names headed for the exit door, making the game at Newcastle his final appearance in Blue.

Given his heroic status at the club, Azpi deserves to go out with honor. And needless to say, there’s little honor in getting spun around by Alexander Isak and Allan Saint-Maximin all evening. The Chelsea captain will find it difficult to cope with the physicality down Newcastle’s right, and benching him for Trevoh Chalobah should be the obvious preference.

Mykhailo Mudryk

Let me preface this by saying that I’m all for letting young players have a run at opposition defenses, especially when there is virtually nothing to lose. But with that said, Mykhailo Mudryk is simply not ready for Premier League Football.

The 22 year old is full of talent, but he still has a long way to go before cementing a starting spot in the XI. Mudryk has already provided some memorable flashes of his quality during his brief spell as a Blue, but his weaknesses have also been equally evident.

His performance against United serves as the perfect example, as the Ukrainian missed a sitter, displayed some extremely heavy touches, and also seemed to have no synergy with the rest of the team. But the aforementioned flashes were still present; Mudryk completed three out of four attempted dribbles whilst wining seven out of 10 ground duels. There’s no doubting the forward’s potential, there’s certainly a cracking player in there somewhere.

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