Ex-Manchester United star Phil Neville has warned Chelsea manager Frank Lampard saying he needs to check out his midfield quality ahead of next season. Lampard has done a decent job so far in his first season as manager in English top flight. Despite facing transfer ban and with injury concerns to so many key players, Lampard has somehow guided Chelsea to FA Cup semi-finals so far and they are sitting in the fourth position in the League table, five points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United.
However, inconsistency has caused Chelsea some tough results this season and they can’t afford to repeat this next term. Neville believes that Lampard should strengthen Chelsea midfield more than anything to have a chance to challenge for Premier League next season. He has targeted some names and has raised questions about their qualities.
What The Former Manchester United Star Said About Chelsea?
Neville told Premier League Productions, “Mason Mount is a really good player but probably he is not the type of creative player that makes the final pass. Mateo Kovacic for me flatters to deceive sometimes. He is good on the eye but does he play [that pass]?”
Neville says that Chelsea still misses players like Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas in their squad who were a key part of Chelsea when they dominated the league back in 2017. The Blues have got Christian Pulisic now at Hazard’s position i.e. Left-wing but he should be used more as a number 10 according to Neville.
“I think it is the one area where you say can they get Christian Pulisic more central? That is the one I would be thinking about. If they are going to win leagues you need some player that is going to be really special and that is what Eden Hazard was for them.”
“Cesc Fabregas was for them too and I do not think they have replaced Fabregas since he left. I think a no. 10 is a position – Manchester United have gone out and bought Bruno Fernandes – it is a position where you need to buy the best.”
What The Story Suggests Now?
Chelsea has got a load of young players now which has made them inexperienced. After the possible departure of Willian and Pedro at the end of this season, they will lose more experience in attack. That should not be a major concern after the Blues have signed Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner who will add more firepower.
As per as midfield is a concern, Chelsea is not short of options. N’golo Kante has had a very average season but he is still one of the best around. Jorginho and Kovacic made a decent partnership in Chelsea’s central midfield but that did not last long because of injuries. Ruben Loftus-Cheek did not play a single game for the Blues this season before the lockdown. He is back though but is not the same player who was in the last season.
Newly born star Billy Gilmour is talented but can he be a consistent first-team player next season? These questions need to solve soon enough if they want to make a statement next season.
