Chelsea’s manager Frank Lampard has admitted in his press conference after tonight’s defeat that goalscoring is “something we need to address,” in quotes picked up by Football London.
It’s something we’ve heard time and again for years now, as the club’s disease in front of the goal has seemingly spread from Timo Werner to the rest of the squad.
You could say that it was Lampard’s fault for not picking more attacking players – but in fact the system and starting team he chose created more chances than we’ve seen with all manner of wingers on the pitch, and it was once again just bad finishing that let them down.
In fact, we might see a similar system used in our games for the rest of the season. The intensity of Conor Gallagher and Kai Havertz in attacking areas won us a few balls high up which opened up chances – and against lesser goalkeeper we might score a couple.
I’m not criticizing the player’s effort, but Gallagher as a starter in a game where we MUST score two goals is puzzling to say the least. Notwithstanding his goal tally on loan with Crystal Palace, it just didn’t make sense to start a lineup in which Havertz was really the only semi-reliable scoring threat. Yes, we created chances with the starters, but the proof is in the pudding—we converted NONE of them because we lacked anyone (again, save Havertz) with anything remotely resembling a finisher’s touch. Did Frank really believe we had a chance of winning the tie with this selection? Despite a much improved level of energy, commitment, and execution compared to the weekend’s disaster, it still must be said that Lampard’s choice of Gallagher made little sense in view of our need for at least two goals.
Agreed.
Agreed.
Why not play Muddy up there, for me he was our best player when he hD the ball.