If Gary Cahill was still a Chelsea defender, he would be Lampard's first name on the team sheet

If Gary Cahill was still a Chelsea defender, he would be Lampard's first name on the team sheet

Chelsea's leakage of goals has been Frank Lampard's biggest problem all season. For Lampard to still be mixing up his backline with two games to go just shows how untrustworthy our current defenders are. Conceding a Chelsea Premier League high of 49 goals, it is clear this is not good enough for a side attempting to get compete with Europe's elite.

Rudiger allowing Yarmolenko to cut in
for Chelsea's 3-2 defeat to West Ham 

Antonio Rudiger was bought to help replace John Terry in 2017 but has never stepped up to the plate of taking responsibility to lead that defense. This season is a clear example of why Rudiger is not good enough. If we compare him to former Chelsea and now Bournemouth defender, Nathan Ake, it's clear why this is. Baring in mind that Ake is in a relegation battle, it's quite a remarkable difference stats wise.

Ake has made fewer errors leading to goals than Rudiger this season whilst playing eleven fewer games. Surprisingly, they have both kept the same amount of clean sheets this season too (4) whilst Ake also having a higher tackle percentage. The fact that a defender in a relegation fight is having a more consistent season than Rudiger only strengthens my argument as to why he is not good enough. 

Speaking of not good enough, Andres Christensen has never convinced me that he can be Chelsea's, main man either. I can understand why Lampard has played him so much this season, as he is quite clearly Chelsea's best player when playing from the back, but he has always come across as a weak link.

To me when I see a center-back, I envision a strong, commanding, leader. For Christensen, I don't see any of these qualities. I have seen him play for three seasons now and I am yet to notice any progression since he left our academy. He has never looked confident, he doesn't win enough headers and consistently seems to get barged off the ball when shoulder to shoulder. He is just simply not good enough. 

Zouma's vital last-minute tackle in
Chelsea's 3-2 win over Palace

For Kurt Zouma, I have always had a soft spot for him. Especially after being apart of the 14/15 title-winning season, but also because he has probably been one of our more consistent center-half this year. His ability in the air is his most impressive attribute, picking up the most headed clearances out of all our center-backs this season.

He's quick, strong, a great tackler of the ball and he's much more solid compared to the likes of Rudiger or Christensen. I think next season he could be an appealing back up but not consistent enough to take Chelsea to that next level. 

In my opinion, the real reason why Chelsea has been so lackluster at the back, it is due to the fact of allowing Chelsea legend, Gary Cahill, to leave the club. For me, Chelsea's best center-back was Gary Cahill. When David Luiz was sold to Arsenal back in August, most Chelsea fans were up in arms about the decision but sat happily when Gary Cahill announced he was leaving. If you compare now how successful both players have been since leaving, it's quite clear who has had the better season.

I personally feel that the Chelsea board should never let a player with that much experience leave on a free. The board knew the chances of the next manager would most likely dip into the youth system because of the fixed transfer ban - so why would you let go of a player that influential? 

I know Gary Cahill isn't the same Gary Cahill as he was in his 2012 but he has the experience and leadership none of the current Chelsea defenders has. Don't forget that this man has won everything there is to win in a Blues shirt. He has done it all. His partnership with John Terry was arguably one of the strongest partnerships the Premier League had seen.

Cahill captaining Chelsea to their 5th PL title

If he was still there today, he would be commanding that backline, constructing a much more tightly knit defense, and help create a more comfortable environment for Kepa Arrizabalaga behind him.

Our next two Premier League games are Liverpool away and Wolves at home. The results of these games will be crucial to determine whether we play Champions League football next season or not. I genuinely feel that if we had Gary Cahill in that defensive unit, we would almost certainly get the top-four finish we desire.

I will finish this article with this question to you Chelsea fans. If Gary Cahill was in our current squad right now, would you play him in our next two games?

I know I certainly would...


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