Champions League

FRANK LAMPARD’S Chelsea return failed to get the Blues firing as they fell to another limp defeat to Wolves. The London side barely had a clear cut chance all afternoon as they suffered loss for the second Saturday running.
Wesley Fofana was one of the few good performers for Chelsea in their midlands defeatCredit: Getty
Frank Lampard signed Kai Havertz in 2020 and, almost three years on, fans are still trying to work out what exactly he does wellCredit: Getty
A stunning goal from Matheus Nunes was enough to grab Wolves a vital three points.
While Chelsea fans were left with only despair ahead of their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.
SunSport’s Kiro Evans had a look at which Blues stars showed up for their new boss and who under-performed again.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7
After a dramatic week at Chelsea, it would have been quite the twist for their former striker Diego Costa to net his first goal for Wolves.
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But Kepa Arrizabalaga was on hand to charge down his first-half shot, while there was nothing he could do for Matheus Nunes’ wonder strike.
The Spaniard was also lucky to escape without punishment after some wayward second-half distribution.
Reece James – 6
Defensively James gave Daniel Podence too much space for Wolves’ opening goal.
But the 23-year-old, playing in a more conservative right-back spot under Lampard, did still try to make things happen going forward and was menacing on the overlap.
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Wesley Fofana – 8
While Chelsea’s forward players floundered, Wesley Fofana had another great game at the back for Chelsea.
The Frenchman made several key interventions throughout the game, including one outstanding tackle of the edge of the six-yard box to close down Joao Gomes.
Strangely subbed off after 79 minutes for Trevoh Chalobah.
Kalidou Koulibaly – 6
The 31-year-old was slightly unlucky as Daniel Podence’s cross took a deflection before barrelling into his path.
But Kalidou Koulibaly’s weak header took the ball directly towards Matheus Nunes who unleashed a ferocious volley beyond Kepa.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Marc Cucurella was enjoying a fairly quiet afternoon for the first half hour with Wolves posing little threat.
But the full-back certainly should have closed down Nunes quicker for the opening goal, and was partially culpable along with Koulibaly and James. And in the second-half he was booked for a reckless sliding challenge on Nunes.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
If Chelsea are doing something good on the ball than there’s a 95 per cent chance that Enzo Fernandez is involved.
That remained true at Molineux with the first 20 minutes seeing the World Cup winner and Mateo Kovacic direct traffic in midfield while Wolves were still finding their feet.
But he became less effective as the game wore on.
Mateo Kovacic – 6
A steady game in the middle of the park as the Croatian continues to grow a dynamic partnership with Fernandez.
He also had to be sharp defensively to snuff out a Wolves second-half counter-attack.
Conor Gallagher – 5
The 23-year-old was initially meant to be Kai Havertz’s main support act as Frank Lampard played a 4-5-1 with Joao Felix out wide on the left.
But Gallagher was not in sync with the rest of the team and when he did find his feet in the second-half, his final ball was lacking.
Joao Felix – 6
Lampard’s decision to revert to a back four saw Joao Felix stuck out over on the left hand side.
It was a questionable tactical call and Felix, despite his best efforts, felt marginalised and on the fringes.
It’s little wonder Chelsea failed to create decent chances for most of the game.
Kai Havertz – 5
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to understand why Havertz is an automatic starter for the Blues.
While he showed more life in the second-half, the German spends most of his time feeling like a loose piece in Chelsea’s jigsaw and Lampard may have less patience for his obvious shortcomings than Thomas Tuchel or Graham Potter.
Raheem Sterling – 5
It was a difficult afternoon for the Chelsea winger. Wolves full-back Totti had him under a close watch and Sterling was left acting as a distraction to give James more space on the overlap.
Failed to offer much more in the second-half before being hooked off.
Subs
Christian Pulisic (on for Havertz, 60) – 5
On for the ineffective Havertz after an hour, the American did not much threat.
But he had half a shout for a penalty when he tried to pounce upon Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s close range shot but was blocked off by Kilman.
Ben Chilwell (on for Cucurella, 67) – 5
Many fans will be wondering why Ben Chilwell was once again relegated to the bench while Cucurella started.
But the full-back had a chance deep in stoppage time after some decent interplay from Aubameyang and Mykhailo Mudryk and blasted a shot over from the edge of the box.
Mykhailo Mudryk (on for Felix, 67) – 5
By the time Mudryk had made his appearance, Wolves had decided to park the bus and hang onto what they had.
With little space available for the winger, he had another forgettable outing in a Chelsea shirt.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (on for Sterling, 67) – 6
Seemingly no longer frozen out at Chelsea after the managerial change, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would have wanted to show Blues fans what they were missing.
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But his only chance in the final 23 minutes was a header from eight yards out which he put wide.
Trevoh Chalobah (on for Fofana, 79) – 6
There was little for Chalobah to do after his introduction. More

FRANK LAMPARD has revealed why N’Golo Kante was dropped from Chelsea’s team to face Wolves. Kante had a starring role as Chelsea drew 0-0 with Liverpool in midweek.
Frank Lampard has caused a stir with his first Chelsea line upCredit: AFP
N’Golo Kante was dropped for the game against WolvesCredit: Rex
But Lampard, who is back at Chelsea as caretaker manager, opted not to play Kante for the Blues visit to Wolves.
On the decision, Lampard said the injury-prone Frenchman was being “rested”.
He explained: “We have to protect a couple of the players in the squad.”
Kante missed the majority of the season with a hamstring injury before returning last week against Aston Villa.
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It means now-axed boss Graham Potter did not have the chance to utilise arguably his best ball-winner throughout his tenure.
Mason Mount had been expected to play a role in Lampard’s first game after returning from his own injury issues.
However, an aggravation in training on Friday meant he was unable to even make the bench for the trip to Wolves.
On Mount, Lampard said: “Mason has always been a fantastic player for me.
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“I know he’s had a few injury problems so it’ll be important for me to speak to him about that and find out where he’s at.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to watch him, and other players like Reece James, Tammy Abraham and [Fikayo] Tomori to go on and be huge players here or elsewhere.
“But I know what I get from Mason. I just want to see him perform on the pitch.
“We have a good relationship. We talk a lot. He’s been a huge player for Chelsea.”
The Blues’ next game following this will be a Champions League clash against current holders Real Madrid.
You can keep up to date with the Wolves and Chelsea clash via SunSport’s live blog here. More

FRANK LAMPARD has only been away from his beloved Chelsea for barely two years since getting the sack as boss.Yet there will still be a raft of new faces for him to get to know.Since last summer alone the club has signed 17 players.
Mason Mount is a favourite of Frank Lampard but where to play him will be a headache amid a huge squad stuffed with creative playersCredit: Getty
If and where Kai Havertz fits in is just one of Lampard’s dilemmasCredit: AFP
Frank Lampard must still be working through all his optionsCredit: Getty
Some, like Raheem Sterling will be familiar, others complete strangers, such as Enzo Fernandez, Benoit Badiashile and Mykhailo Mudryk.
Lampard has only nine Prem games left  to turn around a season that is drifting away despite investment of almost £600million on players alone.
There is also Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final at Real Madrid to contend with.
Here’s what is in Lampard’s in-tray as he prepares for his first game back in charge — at Wolves today.

MOUNT A FIGHTBACK
Lampard answered Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly’s SOS so he is doing the American a favour. But he must still be firm over doing things his way.
Midfielder Mason Mount has not got a look in lately despite being fit again.
Coincidence that one of the club’s most devoted and attacking threats has been kept in mothballs while his contract talks have stalled?
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Lampard loves Mount, gave him his breakthrough and believes he can be a hugely potent weapon in lifting the tempo of a team which has scored only 29 Premier League goals — fewer than any of the ten teams above them.
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KEEPERS
An area to watch closely. Lampard was never a huge fan of Spain’s Kepa — the world’s most expensive keeper at £71.6million.
Lampard signed Edouard Mendy as a replacement but the Senegalese has been frozen out of late. He too is having contract issues.
Now Mendy has recovered from what seemed the longest finger injury in history, will he regain his place with Lampard in charge?
Aubameyang has offered little hope this seasonCredit: Getty
STRIKERS
You don’t need a Uefa A coaching licence to see Chelsea have struggled to find the net.  They create bags of chances but there is no one to tuck the ball away on instinct.
Veteran Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 33, might as well be selling programmes outside Stamford Bridge. He has played just 65 minutes of football this year.
Potter persevered with Kai Havertz up front when the German even admits he is not a lead frontman.
FORMATION
With 32 players in the squad it is a big job fitting everyone in the dressing room let alone on a pitch. Lampard prefers a back three with wing backs and he has two of the best in Reece James and Ben Chilwell.That, though, will condense the midfield with N’Golo Kante fit again, Enzo Fernandez and Mateo Kovacic all vying for midfield spots. Where Mount fits in remains a conundrum with Havertz, Sterling, Mudryk, Hakim Ziyech and Joao Felix all battling for three spaces.
KEEPING THE SQUAD HAPPY
No easy task with lots of established players and young hopefuls who want to show what they can do.
Reports of players changing in corridors because the squad is so bloated will not help morale.
WHAT TO PRIORITISE
Chelsea languish in the bottom half of the table — in 11th spot. They are 14 points off the top four so  need to win the Champions League this season to qualify for it next campaign.
With the budget on a knife edge having spent so much on players, Boehly either needs extra income or a big player sale to keep the Financial Fair Play wallahs at bay.
That would suggest a s**t or bust attack on Europe and let the Prem ride — but every place in the table is worth in excess of a million quid.
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Good luck, Frank. More