Didier Drogba: Clean sheets key to winning matches
Didier Drogba has spoken about Chelsea’s recent dip in form and has pinpointed where the team needs to improve. The Ivorian, who has stood as the captain, in the absence of John Terry, said that the goals conceded by Chelsea are
the main reason behind their failure to win matches.
Chelsea went a goal down in the first half of the last 3 English Premier League matches and 2 of those 3 ended in defeats.
Blues’ troubles at the back were exposed in the match against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, when Andrew Carroll struck the net after a horrendous error by centre-defender Alex.
The Londoners, however, managed to pull one goal back before the half time, through Ivory Coast international Salomon Kalou. In the 2nd half, the Magpies’ defence remained unbeatable, as the match ended in a draw.
This draw helped Manchester United topple the champions off the top of the league. United, who demolished Blackburn Rovers 7-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday, are now 2 points ahead of Chelsea, who are now level on points with Arsenal
FC.
Didier said, “That's normal, that's football. We had these moments last year and it is up to us to change things, to get back to scoring goals and not concede. We had so many clean sheets for a certain time, but now we are conceding
in every game, so that's something we have to change if we want to go back to the top of the league.”
The 32-year old added, "Once again, we created a lot of chances and could have scored maybe another goal. But the problem is we conceded a goal very early in the game and we had to chase, and when you have to chase, you create
more space and you create more fatigue as well, so it is difficult to convert the opportunities you have."
Drogba, who started this season with a hat trick against West Bromwich Albion, has just managed 3 more goals since. The Ivorian, who won the Premier League Golden Boot award last season, has not managed to find the net in his last
7 appearances for the Blues in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, manager Carlo Ancelotti is boosted by the return of his key players to 1st team action, ahead of a challenging list of fixtures.
Moreover, Frank Lampard and John Terry are back in the frame after sustaining long-term injuries. With Frank and Terry in the line-up, Chelsea will be confident in defence as well as going forward.
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