You get the feeling that 2020 could be one of the most important years in recent memory for Chelsea.
With no transfer ban weighing them down, the Blues can start rebuilding their squad to fit Frank Lampard's vision in the hope of competing for Champions League qualification. The ultimate goal is to win the Premier League again, and 2020 is the year to get things on track.
However, transfers aren't going to solve everything. Chelsea have some real on-field issues which need sorting out as soon as possible. 2020 is going to be a busy year for the Blues.
Here are six New Year's Resolutions for Lampard's Chelsea.
Stop Letting in Goals
Here's a suggestion for Chelsea; have you tried just not conceding goals?
There's no leadership, consistency or concentration at the back, and Chelsea are being punished time and time again. Teams need just one shot to score against Lampard's side, and neither the goalkeeper nor the defenders know what to do about it.
This simply cannot continue for Chelsea. You're not going to win games if you're always one second away from making an error.
Figure Out How to Defend Set Pieces
Everything has been woeful in defence, but nothing has been as bad as the Blues' inability to defend set pieces.
Opposing teams always look like they're having a field day from corners and free kicks, because Chelsea have seemingly lost the ability to mark and head the ball. The Blues always look second best.
Whether it's recruiting some defenders who can help or figuring out a new way of dealing with set pieces, this needs to be incredibly high on their agenda.
Make Stamford Bridge a Fortress Again
One of the most disappointing trends for Chelsea has been their weakness at home. Teams around the country are licking their lips at the idea of coming to Stamford Bridge, and they usually end up winning.
This is the same stadium that used to be one of the most feared on the entire planet. Nobody wanted to come to Stamford Bridge because they knew they were probably going to lose, and that's exactly how it should be.
Is it a mentality thing? Are the Blues scared of being favourites to win? It doesn't matter what the reason is, but they need to find the solution.
Make Some Worthwhile Signings
Money may not buy happiness, but what it does buy is some ludicrously pointless signings which actually make the squad worse.
The transfer ban is lifted and the Blues have money to burn, so they need to make some big signings in both January and the summer to make the squad better. Chelsea need to improve, and the only way to do that is to buy smart.
Fans are still seeing Danny Drinkwater's face in their nightmares (£35m? Really?).That cannot be how things are done in 2020. Worthwhile deals only please.
Replace Eden Hazard
Now, I don't know if you've ever noticed this, but Eden Hazard is really good at football. The problem is that he's not bringing his talents to Chelsea anymore - and it shows.
The lack of creativity has been alarming at times. When teams sit back and defend, Chelsea never look like scoring. They don't have that player who can make something out of nothing, and they really need to find someone who can.
Fortunately, Chelsea sold Hazard for a high price, so they can afford to bring in a top-class replacement. Roman Abramovich needs to dig deep into his pockets.
Work Out Their Best Formation
Under Lampard, Chelsea have lined up in no less than five different formations. That's fine, because teams need to be flexible and versatile. However, what's not fine is that nobody knows which style is best for Chelsea.
They look better with three centre-backs, but then look so much worse with the two wing-backs and lack of midfielders which come along with that. Each formation has some alarmingly serious frailties, and none of them seem to bring any real advantages.
There are some encouraging signs, but this side still doesn't have any real identity. Sure, they're exciting and young, but that's about it. What is this team's style? It's time to figure it out.
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Source : 90min