Here are your Chelsea evening headlines for Monday, October 19.
Lampard calls for patience over defence
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has responded to the latest criticism over his side’s defensive issues.
The Blues shipped another three goals on Saturday as they were held to a frustrating 3-3 draw at home to Southampton.
Under Lampard, Chelsea have now conceded a higher rate of goals in Premier League matches than any other Blues boss – a total of 63 goals in 43 games.
"I keep talking about the need for work and how things take time," Lampard said, as per football.london.
"We are playing with new players coming into the squad and it's understandable at this stage of the season where there are moments in games when I talk about game management and the need to go longer, mix our game up. It's something that obviously has to be worked on with time.
"Things like Southampton at the weekend are a lesson to be learned in real time. We don't have so much time with the players so far this season and that will come.
"We need to make sure the lessons are learnt quickly and the players are very aware of that. In terms of the goals conceded, I am aware of the stats. The other stat is that since I've been here, we've conceded the second least shots in the Premier League behind Man City.
"It helps sometimes to narrow down the issues. The issues are that we don't concede many shots on goal but when we do, we concede goals.
"It's something we're aware of. We're aware of it when we look at recruitment and more than that you're aware of the need to work on the pitch with the players to ensure that when we hopefully set up well we don't concede many chances but when the chances we concede we let in too much. It's something we work on specifically.
"Of course we want to concede less goals, as do all the teams at the moment. There are teams that are conceding a lot of goals in the Premier League and we're all in a similar position to a degree at the moment. It'll always be something we work on as much as we do our attacking play."
Azpilicueta: Kepa will work hard to redisover form
Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta has no doubts that goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga will work hard to rediscover his best form at Stamford Bridge.
The Basque arrived from Athletic Club in 2018 for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper (£71.6 million) and enjoyed a solid first campaign at Chelsea.
However, his form and confidence has nosedived since Lampard's appointment and the 26-year-old has been at fault for goals conceded against Brighton and Hove Albion, Liverpool, and Southampton this season.
Azpilicueta has offered his support to his teammate and compatriot and insists the 26-year-old's struggles are not because of a lack of application or effort.
"In football, we have difficult times," Azpilicueta explained ahead of Chelsea's Champions League clash with Sevilla.
"I always try to help him. Sometimes you feel like everything goes against you. You have to have the character and personality to face it. I have no doubt Kepa will work hard to reverse the situation.
"The whole squad are fighting for targets as a collective. When you are a goalkeeper it’s a completely different situation but he will keep working hard, giving his best."
Smith promised Barkley England spot
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith helped secure the loan signing of Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley by promising him a call-up to the England national squad for next summer's European Championships.
The midfielder scored a late winner for Villa in Sunday’s Premier League encounter against Leicester City having thrived in the 7-2 win over Liverpool the previous week.
"He's a high-calibre player. I'm thankful to Chelsea that they've loaned him to us," Smith explained, as cited by Sky Sports.
"I sold him the project here and told him I'll get him in the Euros squad and he's going to try and help us win football games. He's certainly done that in his first couple.
"He couldn't have started better. Being a Blue, getting that win and scoring against the Reds (in a 7-2 win before the international break) and then getting that in the 91st minute couldn't have been a better start for him or us.”
