Chelsea dull and unimaginative as stars wilt under pressure of recent mistakes in Sevilla stalemate

OFTEN these days you get used to watching Chelsea take the lion’s share of possession in most of the games they play.

In the 0-0 draw against Sevilla, they did not really follow the script.

Chelsea looked afraid to play their normal game against SevillaCredit: EPA

Chelsea looked afraid to play it out from the back like they have been used to doing all so often – they looked in fear of making mistakes and had a lack of belief.

But you got the impression that the lack of belief wasn’t just in the players, but the management as well.

You get a sense that even Frank Lampard is lacking confidence in his players at the moment, perhaps due to the amount of individual errors they have been making recently.

Perhaps even he is more comfortable when the goalkeeper goes long, rather than tries to play it out from the back.

The issue you have here though, is there was no aerial threat up top for the Blues and Sevilla just kept picking the ball up and keeping possession.

Chelsea had a decent couple of spells in the game and did look a threat at times, but they never really took a stronghold on the game.

Lampard’s side looked uncomfortable with the set up and the formation once again.

The two in midfield, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, both looked out of sorts and out of confidence, and this was something that seemed to spread through the team.

Only Reece James and Kai Havertz showed any kind of confidence on the ball, and it makes me wonder whether this is something that at the moment, is seeping through the squad.

They seem afraid to make errors and afraid to express themselves.

Of course, there are new players, learning a system implemented by a manager who has tried and tested a number of different formations over the last couple of seasons, and you get a feeling he is still yet to decide on his best formation.

For me, the 4-2-3-1 does not work with this group of players.

Not only does it make them exposed on the transition, it often leaves their creative players isolated and in unfamiliar positions.

James was one of the bright spots for Chelsea in the draw vs SevillaCredit: PA:Press Association

Lampard will look to reinvigorate his side ahead of Saturday’s clash against Man UtdCredit: AFP and licensors

Mason Mount is constantly asked to play on the wing, but he is clearly uncomfortable out there. This is just one example.

Lampard would be better building a setup around a 4-3-3 formation with the players at his disposal, and either use a ball-playing defensive midfielder, like Jorginho, to play out against some opposition, or a ball-winner such as Kante against tougher opposition.

This will allow more attackers up top to be able to create and work closer together to encourage that link-up play.

But all of this needs players who are full in confidence, and this is the first issue.

These players need to drop the pressure and allow themselves to be creative and expressive.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk