Chelsea could not sustain a promising opening 15-minute period and eventually fell to a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg clash
Reece James talks to Antonio Rudiger (Image: James Williamson)
Ahead of Chelsea’s defeat to Real Madrid, Frank Lampard was asked if Chelsea had enough leaders. His answer, while thoughtful, was not the most reassuring in every sense though he did name-check Enzo Fernandez’s potential.
The caretaker boss exaplained in his press conference: “I think you can only become a leader in action. There is no point in being called a leader until you show why and how you do it on the pitch. I understand the question and the point. We have a lot of players who have a lot of titles so we can’t call ourselves completely young because if I go through the squad I can see a lot.
“Also in terms of natural leaders, I think modern leaders have changed in the game. I don’t think we can ever try and look back 10 or 15 years and try to replicate what leaders were. For sure where we have brought in some younger players over the course of this season, we have to give them a chance to develop into the leaders we want them to be. In Enzo, I see a leader, but he is 21 or 22 years of age. It’s very difficult so he has to find his way. Games like tomorrow are a great chance to perform and show personality.”
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Chelsea have had a leadership problem brewing over the last 12 months. Cesar Azpilicueta was set to depart in the summer but was asked to remain to help oversee the transition while Jorginho, who was not a stranger to the captain’s armband, departed in January. Figures such as N’Golo Kante, Thiago Silva and Mateo Kovacic have all donned the armband in recent weeks, two immediately upon return from injury. Their contracts are currently set to end in 2023, 2024 and 2024 respectively.
Due to injuries and rotation, pass the parcel has been played with the captain’s armband and while the Blues certainly have central figures, they have few, obvious dominant personalities. Against Real Madrid, Silva reminded everyone of his presence, unafraid to let his teammates know his opinion when forced into acrobatics, while Azpilicueta was active on the sideline and made sure to greet every player as they left the pitch at full time.
There have been flashes of personality and leadership from Wesley Fofana when he returned to the side and Fernandez’s consistency has proved inspiring since his arriving at a club in difficult circumstances. However, there remains a reason a player such as Declan Rice remain appealing to the club – his leadership is almost as valuable as his ability.
Chelsea have struggled under adversity this season. It has been 24 games since the west London side were able to come from behind to record a point. Understandably, that has seen the character of the squad questioned.
“You can talk as much as you want but the players have to show it on the pitch,” said Lampard. “I’m absolutely not questioning the fact they have a lot of character in the group because I’ve seen the dressing room and understand football. There is character. Nobody wants to not win football matches. But sometimes players can take a hit on confidence and sometimes a lack of confidence can look like a lack of character.”
While not a leader in a traditional sense, Chelsea lost a presence in the summer and though Antonio Rudiger was only the pitch a short time on Wednesday night, he wasted little time in reminding the Blues what they miss.
If nothing else, Rudiger provided Chelsea with personality. Whether it was through a devastating challenge, bizarre raised knees, an outlandish facial expression or a wild shot from distance, the German internation provided moments that can galvanise a crowd and his teammates.
Against the Blues, Rudiger put in an oustanding block on Mason Mount and was mobbed by his teammates in a game his side were already comfortably leading. The defender has a rare ability to inpire and inject feeling into a crowd. Something clearly missing from this Blues so often this term.
The away cohort of supporters could not help themselves but chant ‘Rudi, Rudi, Rudi’ at full time, which the former Blues star acknowledged with a wave following an in-depth conversation with Reece James. Chelsea need a player that can help inject some energy, to reinvigorate an environment where both players and supporters alike need some inspiration no matter how bizarre the source.
Source: football.london
