...By Judah Olanisebee for TDPel Media.
Chelsea’s interim boss Frank Lampard expressed his disappointment following his side’s 3-1 defeat against Arsenal on Tuesday night.
The Blues conceded three goals in the first half, with Lampard admitting that his team’s first-half performance was not good enough.
Speaking after his sixth successive defeat, Lampard said his team was passive and failed to execute their defensive plans, including the need to pressure the ball, make contact with Arsenal players, and restrict space between the lines.
The Chelsea boss revealed that he had to shout at his team about doing the basics at half-time, and that it was the things he said before the game.
Lampard explained why his team improved in the second half, which saw them score a goal through Noni Madueke.
However, the lack of desire to fight for results without the carrot of European football next term is evident for all to see.
Lampard has repeatedly defended his players until now, but he couldn’t deny their lack of ability to compete after losing his sixth match since returning to the club.
Lampard didn’t question his players’ character, but emphasized their inability to translate their good character into performance on the pitch.
According to Lampard, the players don’t need to be aggressive through the week to be aggressive players on the pitch.
The Chelsea boss believes that being aggressive on the pitch is a basic thing that players must do, and it starts with the mental desire to get up to people.
Lampard added that the capacity to be able to do it is also crucial, and conditioning is essential.
When a lack of aggression becomes the norm for the team, it won’t change overnight, and that is what is happening to Chelsea at the moment.
