Paul
Merson believes Chelsea do not currently have the fear factor they once had,
but says patience is key under Frank Lampard.
After arriving from Derby in the summer, Lampard has picked up five points
from four games in the Premier League, losing leads in both of their games
at Stamford Bridge.
They drew 1-1 with Leicester on August 18 before throwing away a 2-0 lead
against newly-promoted Sheffield United on Saturday, prompting some jeers
from the home fans.
But with a transfer ban in place, Merson believes patience is key, with
Chelsea fielding one of the youngest average ages in their starting XIs this
season.
Fear factor gone?
Chelsea were beaten 4-0 by Manchester United on the opening day of the
season, but speaking on The Debate, Merson believes game management in their
two home draws has been most worrying.
"I was disappointed with them in the last 30 minutes against Man Utd, I
thought they threw in the towel and drifted away.
"But elsewhere, it's a difficult one; as a new manager you want to come out
and entertain. I'm a Chelsea fan. If Mourinho was 2-0 up against Sheffield
United, he'd bring off a striker and put on another defensive midfield
player. That was the end of the game, end of, and the other team knew that
as well.
"The other teams don't know that now. Chelsea haven't got that fear factor
anymore. Now, teams like Leicester can stay in the game against them, and
towards the end it looked like maybe Leicester would win it."
Patience is key
Merson believes Lampard would be overachieving if he managed to sneak
Chelsea into the top four this season, and says the inexperience of some of
his squad, including the impressive Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham, should
allow him more time.
Youngest starting XIs - averages this season
| Taem |
Average Age |
| Man Utd |
24 years, 312 days |
| Southampton |
25 years, 22 days |
| Norwich |
25 Years, 68 days |
| Chelsea |
25 years, 88 dyas |
| Bournemouth |
25 years, 220 days |
"I like Frank, and I think you get experience as you go. Would somebody else
have played Mason Mount? He's a special player. And now Tammy Abraham has
four goals.
"We only do this by learning, you don't get five games down the road and
say: 'You're out of the team,' if they're not performing. You go back to
square one like that. Patience, patience. These are young kids.
"Man City and Liverpool are so far ahead of everybody now, this is a
different situation. If Chelsea finished in the top four this season, Frank
would get manager of the year, in my opinion."
If Chelsea finished in the top four this season, Frank Lampard would get
manager of the year.
Merson also appreciates that Lampard, as both a Chelsea legend and
inexperienced manager, may feel inclined to entertain the crowd when his
side are leading. His advice to Lampard would be to 'Do a Mourinho!' and
take the points.
"Winning games is a hard thing to do when you've lost your best player, and
one of the best players in the world in Hazard. Frank is up against it. I
think he'll get patience, but at the moment, I think you don't always have
to entertain. Do a Mourinho!
"You sometimes think in a job: 'Oh, I have to keep entertaining here,
otherwise the fans are going to get the hump!' In the end, you don't need to
do that, you need to be clued up, take the three points."
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