HIT OR MISS?
TIMO WERNER
EIGHT goals in his first 12 appearances suggested Werner would be the marksman Chelsea had lacked. The German has since gone 11 league games without a goal. His confidence looks shot, he’s been benched and Lampard believes his side lack a ‘goal machine’ to challenge for the title. Ouch.
KAI HAVERTZ
AT £72million, the German was the most expensive signing of Chelsea’s summer spree. The 21-year-old had a slow start and then, as his performances began to pick up, he was badly hit by Covid. Lampard has pleaded for patience. Even since returning, Havertz has struggled for form and minutes.
BEN CHILWELL
3 INJURY meant the left back had to wait until October for his league debut. Chilwell began with a goal and an assist, appearing to seamlessly slot into a position that gave Lampard a headache last season. But his performances and attacking thrust have faltered as the Chelsea machine has stuttered recently. He’s no longer a shoo-in for England, either.
HAKIM ZIYECH
ANOTHER expensive addition who suffered a false start because of injury. Then, against Sheffield United in November, Ziyech announced himself with a masterclass that featured two assists and no little genius. Injury soon struck again and Ziyech started on the bench against Leicester, having failed to register a league goal or assist since that win over Chris Wilder’s side.
EDOUARD MENDY
MANY goalkeepers need time to find their feet. But after months of chaos with Kepa, Mendy appeared to immediately offer a base on which to build. And after six clean sheets in his first seven matches, he looked a steal at £21m. The odd mistake has since crept in but he has still added solidity and calmness to Chelsea’s backline.
THIAGO SILVA
PERHAPS it was written that after a £220m outlay, arguably the most shrewd signing would arrive on a free. The 36-year-old was brought in to add experience and know-how to the defence. He’s now Lampard’s first-choice centre back and stand-in skipper. But even the Brazilian has looked vulnerable in recent weeks as the personnel has changed around him.