English Premier League: Assessing Chelsea’s needs for the summer transfer window of 2010 (Part 3)
Following our explanation of Chelsea’s defensive performances and certain possible improvements in their back line, it is now turn for the Blue’s midfield to get picked upon after their disastrous showing in the 2010-2011 season
in both domestic as well as European competitions.
Midfield
On paper, Chelsea’s midfield looks better than the ones at Manchester United, Tottenham, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Essien-c25294’s dynamic approach has always been a key factor in Chelsea’s
success over the past decade. These two are perfectly complimented by John Obi Mikel’s simplistic approach in the center of the park. Chelsea are given more options due to the presence of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yossi-Benayoun-c37520 as well. Ramirez also adds to the
mix as he was bought by Chelsea in the 2010 summer transfer window.
However in the 2010-2011 season, Chelsea’s midfield has been the biggest disappointment. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-c25261
Essien bore the brunt of his midfield duties alongside Obi Mikel. Both the African born players disappointed massively as Essien lacked energy and commitment in the center of the park whereas Mikel showcased why he was easily given up by Manchester United
in 2005.
On his return to first team action, Lampard was a shadow of his former self. The Englishman looked fatigued despite an extended rest after the 2010 FIFA World Cup in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/South-Africa-c757. Not only that, Chelsea missed his vision in the
final third of the field as their title challenge faded away. Consistently a scorer of 15-20 goals from the midfield region, Lampard’s goals have been severely missed by Chelsea in the 2010-2011 season.
One can realize this by taking a look at their goal scored column and the goal difference column for the 2010-2011 season. In http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Total-c40747 Chelsea have scored 69 goals thus far in 37 matches and conceded 32. Last season when the Blues
won the Premier League title they had a goal difference of 71 in comparison to 37 that they have this season. This was due to the fact that Carlo Ancelotti’s men scored 103 goals in the 2009-2010 season and conceded the same amount as they have done in the
present league season.
Lampard has only netted ten goals thus far which makes matters even worse for Chelsea. His assists ratio has deteriorated as well. Thus an amalgamation of Essien’s loss of form, Lampard’s ageing legs and Mikel’s lack of creativity
has hurt http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 this season. Benayoun who was bought by the Blues in the summer transfer window of 2010 has been out for most of the season with his fitness issues further compounding the problems at Stamford Bridge. Ramirez’s ineffectiveness has also been
a major factor in Chelsea’s decline as the Brazilian is still settling into the mould of English Premier League football.
What Chelsea need to do right now is to make a serious decision on Frank Lampard. The Englishman has been a faithful servant to the club in the past but it seems the idea of forming a team around the former West Ham United playmaker’s
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ricardo-c30950 Kaka and the Brazilian will be a perfect addition to Ancelotti’s squad
if Chelsea do make the move for the former FIFA World Player of the Year.
Regardless whatever happens, Chelsea need a massive overhauling in their midfield department, changes that will allow them to compete against Manchester United and Manchester City in the 2011-2012 Premier League season.
The views expressed by the writer are his own and do not reflect the editorial policy of
ViewArticle/www.bettor.com
Tags: