On Wednesday evening Frank Lampard and his Chelsea side travel to the Mestella in Valencia for a crucial Champions League clash. They go there knowing that a win could see them go through to the knockout stages. However, they also go there having burdened a new tag. The tag of a team that can’t beat the top sides. This comes with Chelsea having a poor record against the big six so far this season.
Frank Lampard Chelsea Record Against Big Six Premier League Clubs Isn’t a Worry
The Blues lost their last game 2-1 away to Premier League Champions Manchester City, and that joins a list of 4 other games against Englands big sides that has seen them lose four times. These results came in 4-0 and 2-1 loses to Manchester United (on the opening day of the season and last month in the Carabao Cup) and also a 2-1 loss to Liverpool in the league, with the fourth game being their penalty shoot out loss to the same opponents.
These results have somewhat put a dampener on Chelsea’s otherwise impressive start to life under Lampard.
Positives to Take
Although five losses from five against least seasons top six (which can be extended to no wins in 7 with their 1-1 draw to Leicester this season), there are lots of positives to take from these games.
Manchester United 4-0 Chelsea
Their first game under Lampard was nothing short of disastrous. They were comprehensively beaten by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s side and ended the day 19th.
But Lampard saw his men control large parts of a game that hinged on moments of madness, sloppiness and poor mistakes.
Zouma’s poor tackle for the opening goal. Conceding less than 30 seconds after going 2-0 down. Not being clinical enough.
Lampard would have seen his young team go to Old Trafford and play with nerves, but not fear. His side doesn’t show fear. Lampard has his players playing with freedom and they did at Old Trafford, this is something he would be have been happy with.
Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea
Just three days after losing 4-0 to Manchester United, Chelsea travelled to Turkey to face Liverpool in the UEFA Super Cup.
Despite losing the game on penalties, Chelsea were brilliant on the night. They yet again controlled large moments of the game and went toe to toe with the European Champions.
Had it not been for a poor Tammy Abraham penalty in the shootout, Lampard might have some silverware already.
But that miss has shown yet another strength of this youthful side. They are resilient. Since that missed penalty Abraham has scored 12 goals for club and country. He has bounced back, so have his teammates.
To lose this game was not and is not a worry. Officially it is a tournament and a trophy, but realistically it is no more important than the community shield and Lampard will have taken lots from his side’s performance and very little from the actual outcome.
Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool
Despite a poor first 20 minutes when Liverpool visited Stamford Bridge, Chelsea can count themselves as unfortunate that they didn’t leave the game with at least a point.
Their woeful set-piece defending and a slow start to the game cost them dearly in a game that saw Chelsea dominate the second half against the leaders and European Champions.
But once again Lampard should be proud of his men for their response to two early goals conceded.
This game and the most recent Manchester City game has perhaps summed up their season to perfection.
Masses of positives to take, but yet a disappointment that they couldn’t produce more.
It highlights where the club is at. They aren’t far away and can push teams all the way but there is no doubt Chelsea are missing the ruthlessness to be Champions.
Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United
In a game that will be remembered for Marcus Rashford‘s sensational free-kick more than anything else, Chelsea yet again failed to record a win against a ‘Big Six’ side.
Although the sides were changed for cup action, many would have had the Blues down for a win against United who were in poor form.
However yet again Chelsea didn’t have the clinical edge to punish United in the second half where they were once again far superior to their counterparts.
This game will again not worry Lampard but will frustrate him.
Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea
As mentioned previously with their home loss to Liverpool, this game sums up Chelsea.
They were electric, explosive, dynamic and fluid. But only at times and in periods.
Chelsea couldn’t get a much needed second goal at 1-0 up despite chances. They also couldn’t grab an equaliser late on even with all the pressure they mounted on the City goal.
Now going to Manchester City is not an easy task. Especially not considering they lost their last game and are known for responding in style. But given how well Chelsea did play against the Champions, they once again didn’t have the edge to win.
One thing they did do though was have more possession than Guardiola’s men. Something that the City boss has never seen before in all 381 games in charge in his career.
No, it is not possession though that wins football matches, but it is clear to see Frank Lampard’s methods and his teams style, and these performances show much promise for what could come from Chelsea.
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