‘Chelsea’s downward trend is due to lack of key players’

FRANK Lampard feels Chelsea are suffering from a lack of leadership and personality in the dressing room this season, and blames that for their disappointing Premier League title defence.

Along with the likes of John Terry, Didier Drogba and Petr Cech, Lampard was an integral part of the dominant Chelsea side that won three league titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Champions League and Europa League between 2004 and 2013.

However, only Terry remains of that quartet and he looks set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season when his contract expires.

This season has been one to forget for Chelsea in the league as a disastrous start left them languishing in the lower echelons of the table and saw Jose Mourinho sacked in December.

Guus Hiddink has revitalised their fortunes somewhat but they remain 11th and trail the top four by 11 points after 27 matches.

“What has happened to Chelsea does surprise me,” Lampard told the Daily Mail. “But I do worry about where the real personalities of the team are and to be a big team, you have to have big personalities.

“I do see a team now where John is the last mainstay of that identity.
• Culled from Soccerway.com