Rio Ferdinand claims Chelsea cannot always get away with using young players following Arsenal defeat
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand didn’t hold back in his criticism of Chelsea FC ‘s performance, describing the match against Arsenal as a clear mismatch, akin to men vs. boys, as the Gunners secured a commanding 5-0 victory over the West Londoners.
Chelsea looked disheartened from the outset, conceding an early fifth-minute goal to Leonardo Trossard after an impressive strike. Despite creating some opportunities, Chelsea’s finishing in front of the net left much to be desired.
Arsenal continued to dominate in the second half, with Ben White extending their lead in the 52nd minute, followed by Kai Havertz, a former Chelsea player, adding a third goal just five minutes later. Havertz then notched another goal in the 65th minute, while White scored his second of the match in the 70th minute, sealing Arsenal’s dominant display with a comprehensive victory.
It seemed like a one-sided game, as Arsenal were all over Chelsea and didn’t let them get a sniff of the ball in the second half. Summing up the Blues’ performance, Ferdinand labelled the game men vs. boys, and further told TNT Sports (h/t Daily Mail):
”They [Chelsea] were second best, and this was men against boys. Yes, Chelsea had a young team, but it doesn’t always play out that way, as sometimes young players come out with a bit of fearlessness.”
It’s difficult to dispute Ferdinand’s assessment, especially when we consistently suffer significant defeats. While it’s true that our squad is young, we can’t rely on that excuse when we continue to lose by such large margins. The loss to Arsenal was particularly embarrassing, as they seemed to score with little effort.
Pochettino’s decision to field Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile, who have often struggled when paired together, undoubtedly played a significant role in our poor performance. We witnessed the stark contrast when Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah were paired against Manchester City, highlighting the importance of selecting the right defensive combination for success.
It’s evident that one of our main issues this season has been the slow return of our attacking players to establish a solid defensive structure, especially the wingers. There seems to be a lack of urgency and effort from them in tracking back and supporting defensively, which has left us vulnerable at times.
Addressing this issue will be crucial for improving our overall defensive stability and preventing opposition teams from exploiting gaps in our defense. It may require a combination of tactical adjustments, improved fitness levels, and increased accountability from the players themselves to ensure that everyone contributes defensively and fulfills their responsibilities on the pitch.
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It’s clear that Pochettino needs to be more flexible and adaptive in his tactics to address the team’s shortcomings effectively. Being overly obstinate in sticking to a single plan, especially when it’s not yielding results, can be detrimental to the team’s performance. By exploring alternative strategies and making necessary adjustments based on the strengths and weaknesses of the squad, Pochettino can maximize the team’s potential and improve their overall performance on the pitch.