It was another game and another disappointing result for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. Frank Lampard made his return to the ground he called home for 13 years as a player to see his name plastered across the stands, but ultimately could do little to lift the spirits
The Blues did manage to find a goal having not scored in a match since they drew with Everton ahead of the international break as Conor Gallagher found the net via a Lewis Dunk deflection. Lampard's side could not hold their lead as they were dominated by Brighton, who recorded 26 shots, the most on record (since 2003/04) against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, per Opta.
It was not the result or performance Chelsea hoped for ahead of the return leg against Real Madrid on Tuesday. In addition, with no game at the weekend, Chelsea could find themselves 13th by the next time they play a Premier League game, should Crystal Palace and Wolves each win their two matches in the meantime.
READ MORE: Every word frustrated Frank Lampard said on Chelsea desire and deserved Brighton defeat
Nevertheless, football.london takes a look at what could be learned from the defeat.
Frank Lampard is not Graham Potter
Frank Lampard is not Graham Potter. That much was going to be obvious from the start. Lampard has a connection to the club that can't be taken away and a respect that exists at Chelsea's core. Regardless of his managerial capabilities, he is 'proper Chels'.
Potter never found a way to fill the role. Results didn't allow him to grow into it but he was unafraid to take responsibility and perhaps, to a fault, too protective of his players in public. Lampard may say he's not hanging the team out to dry but his message was clear following defeat to Brighton.
He said: "In terms of performance that was the most disappointing one because we were well beaten in the basics of football. It's a really good Brighton team so we must give them a lot of a credit because they're a fantastic team and they can perform like that against pretty much anyone in the league.
"But we were short. A yard short, a tackle short, a fighting duel moment short and when that's not right you're not going to win games. You have to have the capacity to do that as well as the desire and at the minute we're falling short on that and need to turn it around quickly."
When those things are missing, there is little room for anyone to hide and it's clear that more is expected. He's calling the players out but perhaps in a kind fashion. He doesn't want to call character into question and has placed an emphasis on work required on the training pitch.
Attitude comes into question
It's hard to not see Lampard's words as a critique of the effort his side can either put in or sustain throughout each moment of a game. As the caretaker boss noted: "Things that are a must in a performance for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, against Brighton who can play, sprints, recovery runs and getting up to people and recovering. Then when you've get the ball to stick to ideas that you want to stick to. We came away from that today and the capacity wasn't there today."
From his first press conference following his return, Lampard has noted that he wants these basics in his Chelsea side. The 44-year-old has hoped for urgency and intent from his first moments in the job, and given the tone of his press conferences so far, they have not been able to achieve this without training.
To a degree, there appeared to be some frustration behind the dugout too. Deep into stoppage time with Chelsea still just a goal behind the west London side earned a free kick near the halfway line. Kepa Arrizabalaga came forward to take it as others lingered around the halfway line rather than having an immediate thought to provide some assistance in a more forward position as time ticked by.
Wesley Fofana, Edouard Mendy and Cesar Azpilicueta were all out of their seats with frustration and agitation apparent on their faces. French defender Fofana gestured wildly as the trio shouted trying to encourage their teammates forward with the game still on the line despite the performance.
A moment of hope?
Chelsea needed some luck to finally find the net but how the goal came about saw some fluent play that might provide some hope to hold onto.
"Chilly, come to me," came the call from Lampard on the sideline to his full back. The defender obliged as the Blues looked to build a move from the back in the early stages of the game. Enzo Fernandez soon filled the space that emerged as he carried the ball from deep and found Mykhailo Mudryk who made a run infield from the wing. The Ukraine international stretched his legs across the box before delivering a cute pass into the path of Gallagher who was arriving into the box. The strike was taken and some luck found and Chelsea will need to find some more if they hope to earn some points before the end of the season.
Players who need to do more
Many would probably suggest a number of players on the pitch on Saturday must do more. Recent months have seen too many passengers for Chelsea whether that be a result of individual performance or systemic issues. Lampard made six changes for the visit of Brighton as Denis Zakaria, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile and Christian Pulisic started for the first time under the caretaker manager. However, others have still not had an opportunity.
Speaking ahead of the game on Friday, Lampard noted some players would be given a chance. He said: "Yes but they can't all play. The maths doesn't work as such. In the period I'm here firstly I want to win football matches because we are Chelsea and that is what is expected from us from myself and fans. Secondly, I want to be part of the process in this period where players have an opportunity if they train and deserve to play.
"Secondly, I want to be part of a process in this period where players have an opportunity. If they train, if they deserve to play, then they get an opportunity on the pitch and they can show what they can do.
"Tomorrow [Saturday] will be an opportunity for some players who didn't play in the Champions League, possibly didn't play at the weekend, to come in because it's a game where we absolutely need freshness and energy as well. So every opportunity, they should take."
Noni Madueke and Carney Chukwuemeka stand out as players who it would seem to make sense to provide opportunities to outside of players such as Hakim Ziyech who seems set to depart the club in the summer. With no playing time and limited training sessions, it seems the pair have not yet done enough to convince Lampard into providing them with playing time.
If Chelsea exit the Champions League on Tuesday, it will be interesting to see if Lampard starts to look to the future of Chelsea's squad.
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