Buckets, spades and kiss-me-quick hats... Chelsea’s players have scattered for their two-week winter break, having ground out a point against Leicester.
The Foxes had enough chances to beat the Blues at the King Power in an exhilarating end-to-end match that flew by in a blur and left both teams ready for a holiday.
Once again, Chelsea’s chance conversion and chance creation were statistics that bore little resemblance to each other. You wonder whether Frank Lampard (a deep thinker on formations and tactics) might yet radically alter his approach.
The Blues’ strength is in midfield, rather than attack, although the midfielders compensate for the stuttering show up front by adopting advanced positions.
What Lampard lacks is a Mo Salah or a Jamie Vardy or even a Danny Ings. While Tammy Abraham is improving all the time, he still hasn't the authority of a star striker.
What Lampard has is an embryonic superstar in Reece James, who combines muscle and skill to deliver penetrating crosses from the right-back position, although he may prove better still if he is pushed a little further forward.
“Reece is a weapon for us,” agrees Lamps. “When you think of his age, you can get excited about Reece.”
He has only just turned 20, and could – if developed and supported – enjoy a two-decade career at the Bridge. He’s that promising.
A winter break has come at just the right moment for Chelsea to relax, take stock and return refreshed.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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