Chelsea’s extended injury list is no excuse for their bad performance, Lee Dixon has just said on NBC Sport’s analysis of the Chelsea game today.
The former England striker has been criticising the total lack of attacking threat generated by Mauricio Pochettino’s team as they laboured to a 0-0 draw with Bournemouth.
He accepts that injuries are a factor, but still insists “you’ve got to have a play of playing that creates chances, whether it’s your first eleven or your reserves. It’s just not good enough.”
It’s hard to disagree – but it still feels tough to blame Mauricio Pochettino too much. He had them playing nice football, and has since seen injuries constantly affecting his plans.
Dixon is right to demand more though – the players on the pitch today had more than enough ability to win the game, and to at least put in some effort and make things difficult for the opposition. By the end, there was a shameful lack of motivation.