Manchester United icon Gary Neville has launched a scathing attack on Chelsea's players following their poor showing in the 3-1 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. The Blues were 3-0 down inside 35 minutes with Noni Madueke scoring a second-half consolation goal on a disappointing night in north London.
Despite Todd Boehly spending over £600million on new signings, Chelsea sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table and are just nine points clear of the relegation zone. The west Londoners have scored just 31 goals in 33 games this season and are well on their way to recording their worst season in the Premier League for decades.
With over 30 players in the senior squad, Boehly will need to move on a number of high-earning stars this summer - which is easier said than done. Lampard is set to remain in charge until the end of the season - whilst Mauricio Pochettino is favourite to take the hot seat at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2023/24 campaign after holding positive talks with the club regarding the vacant managerial position.
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Tuesday night saw Chelsea put in one of their worst performances of the season and Neville labelled the Blues as 'pathetic' and 'a shambles'. "Disgusting," Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast following the Blues' 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
"That's the worst performance I've ever seen from a group of players on a teamsheet. I said something before the game, it's the best team on paper I've ever seen play as badly as that.
"Honestly that was a shambles that, in the first half. It was pathetic.
"They're strong words, those. But those players, World Cup winners, internationals, it goes without saying. Expensive. I can't believe it, I really can't.
"I don't know what Frank Lampard will be thinking. He'll be thinking the same words that I've just said. That was as bad as I've seen. He will definitely be thinking that.
"He will be disgusted by what he saw in that first half last night. When you sometimes interpret a manager's language about what they say on television, I don't know what he said but they were strong words.
"You can times that by 100 for what they're saying in the dressing room and what they're thinking privately with the coaching staff. I bet he can't believe it."
Neville went on to predict that a manager - like Pochettino - would be able to help the club return to challenging at the top of the Premier League given the talent in the squad. "I do actually think Chelsea - if they can get to the end of the season which they obviously will and they can appoint a manager in the summer and the talk is of Pochettino - someone will be able to mould them into a decent team," he continued.
"One that can challenge for the top four and for trophies next season. That's how bad this team is at this moment in time.
"I think they're capable of that, that's what makes it even worse. I think they can actually be a real challenger in the top three."
The United legend compared the current situation at Stamford Bridge to that of Ralf Rangnick's time at Old Trafford. Neville added: "People might think I'm mad after what we watched last night, but that's what makes it worse for me - the players have stooped to such a level, we saw it with Manchester United last season.
"They're third or fourth in the league at this moment in time but last season under Ralf Rangnick they chucked the towel in. They've chucked the towel in those Chelsea players, they're not bothering at all.
"They may as well not turn up. They're not going to go down are they, but if they weren't sort of mathematically safe - if they were on 42 points and you were Frank Lampard - you'd leave them all out and play a bunch of kids."
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