After three defeats in four big-spending, Chelsea has slipped down the Premier League table as questions may now be directed to coach Frank Lampard.
New signings, the same story is the case at Chelsea Football Club. Despite spending a whooping £220m during the transfer window, the Blues have slipped down the Premier League title and their title challenge is already over.
Even after putting a difficult week behind with victory over West Ham last Saturday, Chelsea arrived at Arsenal with expectations to ease past the struggling Arsenal and of course pile even more pressure on Arteta.
However, this was not the case as vice versa happened. After the home side’s 3-1 Boxing Day victory at the Emirates Stadium, it’s now Lampard who is under increasing and serious scrutiny with Chelsea’s title challenge in real danger of ending before it even had a chance to get going.
A loss to Arsenal is never accepted by Chelsea fans. However, the manner of defeat against a team who kicked off in 15th had not won a league game since 1st November, and had three players pull out late for illness-related reasons was the most frustrating.
It’s now three Premier League defeats in four for Lampard’s side who are still to beat a “Big Six” club this term.
“You can’t lack energy and desire in the Premier League and we did”. Said Lampard.
“You can prepare as well as you want but if you turn up like that, that’s another thing. it’s in the mind. If you perform below par, things go against you like Saka’s goal. That’s life”.
Lampard Earlier in the season.
The ex-derby county boss had earlier admitted in the season that expectations had been raised and has always insisted that his new-look team made up of expensive signings, academy graduates and the odd experienced head should not yet be considered among the contenders for this season’s title challenge.
Regardless, a club that was capable of signing the likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech, and Thiago Silva while the rest of Europe was cutting their cloth according to their economic capabilities caused by COVID-19 should not be six points back from the league leaders after 15 matches.
If things move in the opposite for Lampard, pressure in the capital may switch from Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta to his opposite number from Saturday’s clash.
What Next
Lampard now faces home games against in-form Aston Villa and Manchester City. Either side of New Year’s Day with a squad that desperately needs revitalizing after a chastening fortnight. Timo Werner has now failed to score in any of his last 10 matches for club or country. This is his longest such run since he was a Stuttgart player in 2016 and was hauled off at half-time against Arsenal.
His compatriot Kai Havertz has already been dropped from the starting XI. And, Lampard may now have to take a similar decision with his other big-money German signing if his form doesn’t improve.
Meanwhile, Hakim Ziyech has shone although he has twice had his progress stalled by injury while mistakes have begun to creep into Thiago Silva’s and Edouard Mendy’s games.