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| Everyone needs Mason Mount in their lives |
I'm going to let out a sigh and have a coffee and address how problematic this is - beyond clogging up my Twitter timeline with a bunch of whingers who will literally never be happy with Chelsea. And probably with life.
Need. The first issue and most important issue is Chelsea and Frank Lampard needed a win. No matter who Saturday's opposition were, having won just a single match in their last seven across all competitions, nothing short of a significant win was going to be acceptable. Had the scoreline been any closer, questions would continue being asked. Which only exacerbates issues with confidence in a young squad.
Confidence. It plays almost as big a part in developing a winning squad as actual skills do. With the poor run of results, and the relentless harassment on social media - this squad is clearly short of belief. Winning is a habit and they needed to be reminded of that feeling. Maybe it was 'just Morecambe' but it could be an important result as Chelsea head into a run of very winnable results.
History. A word bandied about far too much especially by certain teams that shall not be named. But Chelsea do have a history of taking domestic cup competitions seriously and playing strong lineups. The competitions themselves have been devalued since teams started looking at it like a break for their first team. It's also a sign of respect to the opposition to not just turn it in and play your entire academy. Eighth-tier Marine were genuinely thrilled to see Gareth Bale get subbed on against them.
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| 19 year old Billy Gilmour in action |
Definition. How young does this team need to be? Frank Lampard has utilised the academy more than any other manager in history. And not just for these games as a little glimpse but integrated them fully into the squad. Billy Gilmour, Mason Mount and Callum Hudson Odoi all started. Do they just not count any more in your delusional minds as academy products or 'kids'? Kai Havertz, for as much as he cost, is only 21 - three years younger than Ruben Loftus-Cheek who no doubt would have been on the list of players people would want to start. Do you just want all the U17s play? And then if they started getting regular games... we'd have to go to U12s? Where does it end?
Frank Lampard promoted a number of players this week to train with the first team and have them on the bench. For players of that age, it's already a brilliant experience. And then to bring them on when the pressure is off because the game is fully in control is a sensible way to integrate. Get over yourselves. The average age of the front six was 21.8 years old - and it's only skewed up because of Hakim Ziyech who needs minutes to get match fitness.
This team did not get a proper pre-season and do not get enough time together on the training ground because of the condensed nature of the season itself. There are a number of new faces in addition to the academy products who made the step up during the last campaign. That's a lot of people to integrate and get playing as a cohesive unit. Chopping and changing for the sake of it does no one any good. Frank Lampard needs a core of players to play together as much as possible and instill confidence whenever there is a chance to.
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| Kai Havertz back on the scoresheet |
Right. So there was actually a match played - and it played out mostly as expected. Morecambe had a chance early on where Kepa was caught off his line but recovered brilliantly to ensure they didn't score with an acrobatic spin save. Brilliant show of reflexes to ensure the ball didn't cross the line, and keeping him self a clean sheet in the process.
Birthday boy Mason Mount opened the scoring with a super strike from outside the box. A powerful hit drilled past the keeper and Chelsea never looked back. Hopefully he was allowed to celebrate with some cake and champers after the match. That goal earned him a challenge from the boss, who wants to see more goals from the young midfielder.
Just before the break, Timo Werner finally ended his goal drought. A goal which Mason Mount celebrated more than his own - I don't know who's character is speaks more of. But it was great to see. It went on so long that everyone appears to have forgot that he had already scored eight goals and with his effort against Morecambe is once again Chelsea's joint-top goalscorer for the season. And for those of you wondering - yes Olivier Giroud was top. And yes, Marina needs to do everything in her power to make sure that handsome bastard goes nowhere this month.
The second goal eased any nerves going in at the break and it was evident that the confidence was starting to permeate through the squad. It didn't stop Morecambe from having a go. There is a freedom in being a lower league club facing a Premier League 'big six'. They have nothing to lose so can play their game and just go for it. It's a shame though their fans weren't given the opportunity to help spur them on. As much fun as this weekend was up and down the country, having no fans in the stadiums was heartbreaking.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz both added goals in the second half . Both players deserving of their goals for their tireless performances throughout. Havertz has struggled with his recovery from Covid and patience will be needed as the season progresses. No one really knows the long-term effects this disease can have on anyone let alone elite athletes who's success can be determined by the finest of margins.
jb x
RESULT: Chelsea 4-0 Morecambe
GOALS: Mount 18, Werner 44, Hudson-Odoi 49, Havertz 85
CHELSEA XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Zouma (Tomori 80), Rudiger, Emerson, Mount (Abraham 74), Gilmour, Havertz, Ziyech (Pulisic 68), Werner (Giroud 68), Hudson-Odoi (Anjorin 80)
STAR MAN: Kai Havertz
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