Frank Lampard is still a very young manager in terms of experience. He has just two full seasons managing a club, and only one at Premier League level. There's going to be a learning curve. And with the pulling power he has with talent and the enthusiasm that he boosts both players and fans with, it's inconceivable that he won't be a success. But, it will take time. Patience is a virtue, unless you're a reactionary knob on Twitter.
The first half of last season, the boss showed a stubborn streak that could have been his downfall. He had a vision for how he wanted the team to play - which is great. But he didn't have the players to impart that vision. For a large part of the season, it looked a matter of putting square pegs in round holes. But as injuries forced his hand to begin with, he saw the benefit to using the players he had to their strengths - the re-introduction of Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic to not only be involved but to shine showed that.
Lampard insistence on Andreas Christensen is the counter-point to that argument of course. No one's perfect. Not even Super Frank. He was not at fault for any of the three goals conceded himself. However, while it's de rigueur to lay all the blame at Kepa's feet - it feels like when the young Dane is partnering anyone at the back there is some confusion. Kurt Zouma was as culpable for Che Adams goal as anyone out there. But that doesn't happen when he's next to Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger or Fikayo Tomori.
With a slim lead and just minutes to go, Frank Lampard took off the smallest of the attacking line and replaced him with a defender in Reece James. Absolutely the right move - straight from the Jose Mourinho handbook. While social media might want to tell you different, that is the right move. Chelsea just lost their heads when under pressure. Again.
It's not all doom and gloom though. This is the 2020/21. And it is an utter madness. This league is literally anyone's at this point. Aston Villa are the only team in England with a perfect record and one of only two in Europe's top five leagues. Tip of the hat to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Milan. Let that sink in. Aston Villa have a perfect start to the Premier League AND fired seven past Liverpool.
Timo Werner's relentless work ethic paid off in dividends in the first half against his former boss Ralph Hasenhuttl. It also helped that he was in his proper position. Signed for his versatility to play across the front three, but excels as a striker. His power and pace have been exactly what Chelsea have been missing there for some time. It's a shame that his impressive performance was overshadowed by second half f*ckwittery. Special mention to Jorginho for the stunning ball he played in for Werner's second. Outrageously good pass, and a reminder of why he's in the team.
As much as I loved Werner's individual goals, his connection with Kai Havertz is what really impressed me. When the team news dropped, I was thrilled with that front four. When Pulisic, Werner and Havertz combined for Chelsea's third it was a thing of beauty. It was the first time they all played together and each in the strongest position. That goal was everything it should have been and I can't wait to see more like them throughout this season. It also showed a lot of character as it almost immediately followed Adams' equaliser.
Dropping points will have left Chelsea fans with all the bad feels. It was an opportunity missed. But there were a lot of positive takeaways too. And hey, at least they weren't three goals up with just 8 minutes to go....
jb x
RESULT: Chelsea 3-3 Southampton
GOALS: Werner 15, Werner 28, Ings 43, Adams 57, Havertz 59, Vestergaard 92
CHELSEA XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Zouma, Chilwell, Jorginho, Kante, Pulisic (James 87), Havertz, Mount (Ziyech 72), Werner (Abraham 90)
STAR MAN: Timo Werner
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