CHELSEA still lack chemistry but Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz showed during the 4-0 cruise in Krasnodar they will be lethal when they click.
Boss Frank Lampard spent vast sums of Roman Abramovich’s money – the Russian watching his new investments live for the first time in 18 months – this summer on new players, especially in attack.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard will be thrilled by the potential if not the overall display of his Chelsea side at Russian side KrasnodarCredit: Reuters
Hakim Ziyech lashes home to make it 3-0 to Chelsea and cap his own wonder displayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
In came seven men expected to start most matches – a large number in one go, meaning many changes.
None of these players have really played together a lot, so there is always going to be a natural bedding in period.
Even the very best of players need time to gel and get used to how the players around them play.
This new breed of Chelsea players showed it on occasion, with a real lack of chemistry against Krasnodar in the Champions League, especially in the first half.
Ziyech was fantastic all game and the one player who was playing with confidence and positivity.
But the rest of the players didn’t really join him until the second half when they all decided to turn up and turn on the style.
It was plain and obvious to see that their lacklustre first half performance was down to the fact that these are a new set of players getting used to playing together.
But on the plus side the second half showed exactly what they can do when they do click – and they certainly did that.
The game ended 4-0 to the Blues, a scoreline that looked a million miles away at half-time before Lampard’s side came out much improved in the second half.
Ex-Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech grabbed his first big chance to impress for Chelsea in spectacular styleCredit: AFP
Ziyech, Werner, Havertz, and Christian Pulisic all started to flow in the second half, making some nice attacking movements and linking up well with short and quick passes.
After the break they looked like a team that had been playing together for years.
This is a sign of the scary potential this Chelsea team holds for opponents, should they really click.
Of course, the opponents weren’t the best, but they came out early in the second half threatening Chelsea’s goal.
So for the Blues to decide to take control of the game and click at the time they did was ideal for Lampard and Co.
The confidence often didn’t seem like it was there for Chelsea in the first half and they didn’t play well at all.
But the lack of chemistry was clear to see at times, and thankfully it was something they managed to turn on its head in the second half.
It was a game of football that could have been a whole different story for Chelsea.
But in the end a 4-0 Champions League away win – with another clean sheet – will feel like a dream for Lampard right now.
Make no mistake, when this Chelsea team further find their feet and get into top gear the rest of Europe will be fearful.
They have all the foundations to be one of the best in world football, they just need to gel now.
Krasnodar players blasted as only FOUR take knee in support of Black Lives Matter before Chelsea clash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
