Frank Lampard wants Chelsea to banish the lethargic moments that are costing them after seeing Wolves grit their teeth for a 1-0 win over the Blues at Molineux.
It took a stunning 31st-minute goal from Matheus Nunes to get the better of Chelsea in what was caretaker boss Lampard's first game of his second spell at the helm.
Lampard featured in the most successful team in Chelsea's history, with the Englishman ending his career as the club's record scorer, which was no mean feat for a midfielder.
He was a tireless presence in the Chelsea team, and he wants to see the same energy and concentration from the current breed of players, believing it has been lacking at times.
"We know we're not in the position we want to be and there is always a reason for it," Lampard said. "I was aware of that, and I did not expect to solve everything in one day.
"If you're analysing it, in a Premier League game you have to have more aggression in your game, more speed, more competitive duels that go your way, rather than the opposition.
"That is baseline stuff against a team fighting for their Premier League lives. It will always dictate the result of the game, regardless of the talent.
"There was a little bit of that today and the players need to be aware of that, because without that you can't win games and you can't be the team that Chelsea has been at different times, and we want to get back to."
He added: "I am here to help with that, and this is not stinging criticism, but what are the reasons we can be like that at times?
"I know there is a lot of talent there in the squad, I have seen that in the last couple of days, and I look forward to working more with it."
Chelsea's lack of a specialist striker once more cost them as they lacked a focal point for their attacking, with Kai Havertz again the nominal centre forward.
Havertz is arguably better deployed in a midfield role and gave Wolves few causes for concern.
Real Madrid will have hardly been petrified by what they saw either, ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Lampard's men on Wednesday.
Lampard rested N'Golo Kante, whose return from a hamstring injury lay-off is being carefully managed, but the Frenchman should line up at the Santiago Bernabeu.
There was a pre-match blow on Saturday when Mason Mount was ruled out by what Lampard confirmed was continuing pelvic trouble.
Lampard, having been sacked in January by Everton, relished his return to touchline duty with Chelsea, if not the result.
"I am very happy to be back," he said. "But I'm disappointed I could not give the fans a win in the first game back.
"But we go again and have a huge game waiting for us on Wednesday in the Champions League, and I am very excited about that."
Wolves, meanwhile, could face punishment from the Football Association after home fans were heard chanting "Chelsea rent boys" during the game.
The FA said in January it would consider the homophobic chant a breach of its rules that could lead to disciplinary action, while the Crown Prosecution Service has classed it as a hate crime.
Chelsea said in a statement on Saturday: "Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour totally unacceptable.
"It condemns the homophobic chanting by some home fans at Molineux this afternoon. Chelsea will continue to work closely with Chelsea Pride and the broader football community to eradicate these vile chants from our game."
In a supportive message, the Premier League said the chant "has no place in football or society".
Start of a new journey – Ex-Man Utd defender Phil Jones sets sights on coaching
Phil Jones is working towards his coaching badges and has started a sporting director course as the former Manchester United defender begins a “new journey”.
The 31-year-old joined the Red Devils from Blackburn in 2011, making 229 appearances and scoring six goals before leaving at the end of his contract in the summer.
Jones had endured an injury-hit few seasons, with his last competitive United appearance coming in the victory against Brentford in May 2022.
The PA news agency understands the 27-cap England international has not called time on his playing career and will keep that option open as long as possible, but he is looking towards the future.
“Start of a new journey,” Jones posted on social media.
“Great to begin the global football sport directorship course with the PFA business school, learning new things about the game, whilst also continuing to push ahead with my A licence and badges at the club that gave me so much. Excited to get started.”
Jones has been observing the younger age groups at United as part of his coaching development as he weighs up his next steps.
Football rumours: Jadon Sancho urged to end stand-off with Erik ten Hag
Jadon Sancho has been urged by players at Manchester United to end his dispute with manager Erik ten Hag, according to the Daily Mirror. The Times reports that the PFA has offered to help the England winger, 23, settle his differences with ten Hag.
Arsenal are gearing up to grab Ivan Toney, with the Daily Mirror reporting Brentford have valued the 27-year-old at £60 million ahead of a likely move for him in the January transfer window.
Jesse Lingard has ended his one-month training stint at West Ham to move to Saudi Arabia, with the Daily Mirror reporting club manager David Moyes insisting the club is comfortable with Lingard’s decision.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Chelsea secretly parted ways with Bruno, who joined Craven Cottage under former manager Graham Potter’s watch and was a first-team coach under Mauricio Pochettino.
Social media round-upPlayers to watchRomelu Lukaku: Roma are keen to turn the 30-year-old striker’s loan from Chelsea into a permanent move.
Mohamed Salah: Negotiations between Liverpool, Saudi Arabia and the striker’s agent are becoming the subject of a Harvard study.
I got it wrong – Jermaine Jenas apologises after using abusive term towards ref
Former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas has apologised after branding referee Robert Jones a “complete s***house” during Sunday’s north London derby at Arsenal.
The 40-year-old, now a television pundit and presenter, took to social media during the thrilling 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium after the Gunners were awarded a controversial penalty, prompting a backlash from other users.
Responding to the criticism on Monday, Jenas wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “I hold my hands up, I got it wrong yesterday.
“I should know, more than most, the responsibility we have as fans, players and pundits and the impact our words online can have as it’s an area I’ve been vocal in.
“My emotions got the better of me and I apologise to The FA and to all match officials.”
Jenas’ initial post came after Jones had been advised by the Video Assistant Referee to take another look at an incident in which the ball had hit the arm of Spurs defender Cristian Romero from close range.
The referee had not initially awarded a penalty, but did so after the review and Bukayo Saka promptly dispatched the spot-kick to make it 2-1 to the home side, although Son Heung-min levelled almost immediately to ensure the game finished all square.
Jenas, who was part of the Football Association, Premier League and EFL’s Love Football, Protect the Game campaign ahead of the new season, wrote: “Complete sh**house off a referee! They’re all ruining the our game!”
The charity Ref Support UK accused Jenas of encouraging the abuse of match officials.
The organisation said on X: “This is a disgraceful tweet and you should be ashamed. Your tweet encourages online abuse of referees and considering your role on TV your employers need to give their head a wobble.
“Remember Anthony Taylor and his family were attacked at an airport because of antics such as yours.”
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
