33-year-old star tells Chelsea to sold “Off the pitch” issues to recover lost form

Right-back Cesar Azpilicueta stated Chelsea need to start with off-field issues

Cesar Azpilicueta criticised Chelsea’s poor performance and asserted that the team must first address off-field problems before they can play well on the pitch.

Following a 3-1 loss to Arsenal, the Blues suffered their sixth defeat under interim manager Frank Lampard, giving supporters a season to forget.

Todd Boehly’s enormous expenditure hasn’t really bore fruit in the games, as the Blues are now sitting in 12th place in the Premier League. We have now lost six games in a row and are winless in nine across competitions.

Two managers have been fired since he assumed control and a new permanent manager is currently being sought. However, (h/t Mirror) during the post-match press conference, Spanish international Azpilicueta did make an honest claim, saying:

“It’s the worst run since I’ve been at the club. We’re the ones playing on the pitch, and we have to turn this around. It’s hard for everybody, and we have to come through these moments. Off the pitch, we have a lot of things to work on.”

We were down in the game when Arsenal walked over us. This was a disgraceful performance. It is hard to pin the blame on one set of individuals but the players, manager and owner have all contributed to this demise in one way or another.

But on the bright side, we saw Noni Madueke demonstrate his talent and merit as a starter for the remainder of the current campaign. Mykhaylo Mudryk’s impact was greater than Raheem Sterling’s when he entered the game in the 71st minute.

Because Lampard lacks the credibility to manage a major club, it seems will have to rely on the potential new manager to resolve the on-field problems. In the meantime, there are numerous off-field issues to be resolved, from team reduction to signing quality players.

More Chelsea News:

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• Frank Lampard confirms Chelsea setback with Reece James and Mason Mount out

Azpilicueta is one of the few elder statesmen left. He is 33 years old now and on a contract that expires at the end of next season (Transfermarkt). We have to ensure the Spaniard’s journey on SW6 doesn’t end this way and he has something to be proud of about his last season with the club if and when he leaves us for some other team.

For now, he will be a key figure in the dressing room to hold together a team of youngsters and new signings that perhaps need a reminder of the club they are playing for.