When it comes to the German duo, almost every individual turns into a football analyst because the belief of people, when Chelsea splashed the cash last summer was that both will hit the ground running, owning to their stellar performances in the concluded season.
That would not be too much to ask anyways as Chelsea under Frank Lampard last season were fair enough despite their inability to add players, still manage to make the top four finish and were unlucky to be the beaten finalist in The Emirates FA Cup at Wembley.
After addressing what could be seen as their weakness in the summer, and even added extra legs, Chelsea have found themselves in a situation which they may not have foreseen, when they played the last of their seventeen games unbeaten at normal time across all competitions this season which took place between September 23 to December eight.
A lot has been said about Frank Lampard’s team selection with many accusing the Chelsea great of being bias. Almost every time The Blue’s team-sheet is released, fans rant about his choices.
However, most of the poor performances by the players are not always about their playing position or the team’s selection. Many call for Mason Mount to be dropped for Kai Havertz, but in no team will Mason Mount be benched for Kai Havertz on form and influence on the game since the later’s arrival in England.
Yes, new arrivals will need time to settle down and jell but the Premier League is so demanding that in a team with ambition like Chelsea, new players are expected to hit the ground running because the results in every game becomes crucial at the end of the season.
Timo Werner has been tried in all the wings across the front by Lampard but the former Leipzig man still yet to find his form, having scored just four league goals this term, he embarked on a 12 game goal drought, in the process, he took 22 shots and missed eight big chances. Guess who gets the blames for this poor output.
Three of Timo Werner’s nine goals have come from the spot, and he scored twice against Southampton in the Premier League, meaning he has scored in just three matchdays, out of his 17 appearances. Poor.
Kai Havertz has contributed 11 goals for Chelsea since his arrival having played just 22 games. Looks impressive but a good percentage of these numbers have come in Cup games against Championship and none league sides. Three of his five goals came against Barnsley, and another one against Morecambe.
If the Chelsea record signing could make such significant impact against lesser teams, playing in the same position he does against the stronger teams, why should it be Lampard’s fault when he comes short against big teams.
The player’s below par contributions have bring Frank Lampard’s job under the line, with the former Derby boss now at risk of losing his job. Results in the next few games will be crucial for him and he will be hoping these players could redeem themselves and help him secure his job.
Chelsea travel to Craven Cottage this evening to take on newly promoted Fulham. The match could prove tricky as Fulham have been brought back to life after a slow start to the season. But should Chelsea players turn up and back their manager, it shouldn’t be much of a difficult task getting maximum points back to Stamford Bridge.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
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