Chelsea's soft centre proves damaging again in Sheffield United loss with defensive reinforcements crucial

On a day when Chelsea desperately needed a result in the race for the top four, they produced their worst performance of the season under Frank Lampard on a damaging afternoon at Bramall Lane.

The Blues limped to 3-0 loss but in truth the scoreline could have been worse as they were bullied by a well-organised Blades team and their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League suffered a blow.

Chelsea failed to compete from the off and they could now drop out of the top four in 48 hours' time.

There will be plenty of additional focus on the outcome of Manchester City’s Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appeal against their Champions League ban on Monday morning.

That has now taken on added significance at Stamford Bridge.

Another horror show at the back served as a reminder that Chelsea need defensive reinforcements in the transfer market before they can even think about challenging Liverpool and Manchester City.

All three goals were as a result of defensive errors that could have been avoided and their soft centre is a real problem that needed to be addressed.

Chelsea have now conceded 49 goals this season - which is more than any other team in the top half of the table and the most they have conceded at this stage of a season since 1997.

Yet again they struggled to defend balls into the box and Antonio Rudiger’s defending for the third goal summed up their afternoon.

Frank Lampard was furious with Chelsea's performance in their 3-0 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

It was telling after the game that Lampard said Sheffield United were stronger than Chelsea physically and “in the mind”.

Lampard has asked in recent weeks whether Chelsea can handle the pressure in the run-in and he will be furious with their attitude.

In an empty stadium, all you could hear was Sheffield United voices. Chelsea turned up with a poor mentality and were punished.

The Blues had 76 per cent possession but were too slow with the ball and looked short of ideas going forward.

Tammy Abraham was starved of service and Jorginho struggled in midfield. “We have to put this game away very quickly but I learned a lot,” said Lampard. “And I won’t forget that.”