A year ago
Enzo Fernandez was furious with Chelsea team-mate Conor Gallagher when Manchester United doubled the lead at Old Trafford last night.
The Blues were beaten 4-1 last night as their opponents secured their final spot in next season's Champions League.
The opening goal probably didn't tell the story of the first half, when Chelsea had three good chances to level the score after Casemiro's opener.
Mykhailo Mudryk, Kai Havertz and Gallagher themselves have missed out on great opportunities as fans have also been lacking in scoring this season.
However, that was not what angered his teammate, Fernandez, for the first 45 minutes. After the Argentine made a tackle on the edge of the box, the England international struggled to react when the ball hit Casemiro.
Fernandez is angry with Gallagher
In the end, he backed off as the Brazilian advanced to find Jadon Sancho, helping United double the lead.
Gallagher is certain to leave at the end of the season, with Mauricio Pochettino set to take over before the next campaign.
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-CHELSEA
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
The 23-year-old is the subject of a timed bid from Everton to Janaury, with the relegation-threatened Toffees offering more than £40m for his services.
On the other hand, Fernandez is the bright light still far away in the tunnel. He has started every game since joining the club for a record fee at the end of the last transfer window.
Pochettino has certainly been impressed with his countryman in recent weeks, and his seemingly endless contract with the club means he will be a star for several years at Stamford Bridge.
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Frank Lampard's Chelsea bows in front of Manchester United's clinic
The reality of Chelsea's form
In a thrilling Premier League clash that ended with a 4-1 win for Manchester United over Chelsea, Blues manager Frank Lampard had plenty to dissect. The match was like a reality check for Chelsea, a club that prides itself on being the top team in English football.
“Manchester United [was] clinical in front of goal,” explains Lampard. "[We] failed to defend individually in the second half," he added, pointing out exactly where things went wrong. The challenge for Lampard now is to ensure his team learns from this defeat, turning it into motivation to perform better in future matches. Despite the defeat, Lampard has seen some positives, especially in terms of individual performances. Speaking to the media after the game, he admitted: "There were individual performances in the game that I think could be great shots for the future if promoted." Even in difficult times, the ability to find joy is an attribute that can help Lampard and Chelsea in the long run.
Lampard made it clear that Chelsea's shortcomings against Manchester United were not due to tactical mistakes, but to inefficiencies on an individual and collective level. "It's not a tactical thing," he said. Lampard further explained that the team's difficulties were mainly "assessing what [the team] [players] can [do]". This outspoken approach shows a manager not afraid to take responsibility, which can inspire his players to do the same.
Chelsea's potential has not been unleashed yet
Despite the crushing defeat, Lampard kept faith in his team, expressing that he still sees 'talent in the team'. However, he also reiterated the need for a reality check, highlighting the performance gap between the two. This insight provides insight into Lampard's overall philosophy - realizing potential yet pragmatic in the face of immediate challenges.
With swirling comparisons with Manchester United manager Ten Hag, Lampard stressed that every situation is unique and not everything belongs to the coach. He stands firm on his beliefs, saying: “I don't think it's a comparison. Of course we have to be optimistic, we have to look for the positive, we have to look towards a more positive future than this season." It is this calm approach that can guide Chelsea through. their current challenges.
Looking ahead, Frank Lampard has a tough task ahead of him, but his calm, composed approach could be just what Chelsea need. He understands that success is not just about tactics on the pitch; it's also about maintaining a good structure within the team and focusing on fundamentals.
Lardard:
“Must have ground, must have foundation”
This could be crucial in Chelsea's path of progress. The saga of Chelsea's season is far from over, and under Lampard's leadership, the Blues' journey could again take on some intriguing turns. The Man Utd 4-1 Chelsea game was a reality check for Frank Lampard's side, but it could also act as a catalyst for a comeback. This is football, after all, where anything is possible.
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