Hudson-Odoi one of the few positives on another frustrating night at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea drew 1-1 with Aston Villa as the pressure on Frank Lampard rises
Edouard Mendy failing to save the shot in the above image just about sums up Chelsea’s night at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues stopper will know he should have saved this, but this is just a small part of our issues right now.
It was another very frustrating night for Frank Lampard and Chelsea; and just when they needed a response after the Arsenal defeat, the players faded away once again and failed to show any confidence or belief to go on and win the game.
Before the equaliser, Chelsea were enjoying a good spell and went in 1-0 ahead at half time. This was the moment they should have gone on and scored another goal to make sure they got all three points.
But as Andreas Christensen stayed laid out on the floor instead of playing to the whistle, jumping back up and helping his team mates defend his goal at all costs, he continued to grimace in agony.
Yes he was fouled by Jack Grealish, no the Referee didn’t give a free kick, but Christensen was absolutely fine and was up right away as soon as the goal went in without needing any treatment. He was fine, and he should have got up soon as he realised he wasn’t getting the foul.
Would John Terry have stayed down right there? No, is the answer, and this is a part of the issue right now.
The players aren’t out there fighting for everything, fighting for the club, fighting for their team mates, and fighting for themselves. They are simply just going about their business.
Not all of them, granted. Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante, and Christian Pulisic all put in 100% effort at the very least tonight and that is the least you want to see.
But the way heads collectively dropped when Aston Villa equalised rather than standing back up and fighting for the win, is very concerning and once again shows the lack of confidence that seeps through the squad recently.
Lampard does not and should not escape criticism, after all he is the coach, the motivator, and the one that picks the team.
Starting Jorginho tonight was odd when you are asking to see pace and intensity from your team. He wasn’t poor by all means, but he certainly doesn’t bring you the aforementioned qualities. Billy Gilmour does, and he should have been in there tonight.
It was also a great chance to start Kai Havertz in the number 10 role, and Timo Werner as a centre forward - their preferred and best positions that we have rarely seen them start in yet.
You want to get the best out of your under fire new signings, then play them in their best positions.
I’ll end on a positive, Hudson-Odoi was fantastic tonight and full of direct intent whenever he got the ball, this is exactly the effort Lampard was demanding after he questioned his players mentalities last game.
But unfortunately not enough of them showed this, yet oddly enough Lampard refused to lay blame on the players this time and says he was pleased with their efforts tonight.
He simply puts it down to ‘not getting the rub of the green.’
Odd take if you ask me.