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Five Things We Learned From Chelsea Yesterday

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Written by Anthony Williams

Chelsea were stunned by a late goal in the 3-3 draw against Aston Villa, which was crushing for many as the Blues’ players and fans alike were elated just moments earlier when John Terry scored what everyone thought was the winner.

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But what are the five things we learned from this weekend:

1. Paulo Ferreira – starting with the negatives and hoping to end on a high, so a quick mention for the Portugeezer with fine hair. Ferreira tries, bless him, but it does not change the fact that he’s a bit of a liability and when he makes a mistake we are often punished for it. He’s been a loyal servant to the club, but I’d rather see him on the bench.

I am not sure how or why he is ahead of Jose Bosingwa, but if Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t have faith in the latter and Ferreira is crap, then should we consider bringing in another right back at the end of the season?

2. Nicolas Anelka – I feel bad that my first two points are singling out individuals but it needs to be said. There Frenchman has been utter garbage this season and has not scored, changed a game, or actually played his position effectively for months now. He also has not scored a goal since the Blackburn game in October.

Anelka is far too comfortable of his place. Didier was dropped for poor form for Spurs and he was recovering from malaria, what’s Carlo Ancelotti’s excuse for not giving Nico a much needed kick to his derrière?

Salomon Kalou came on to good effect in the second half, but seems to make a better impact on games from the bench than he does starting, so would it be so wrong to hand Daniel Sturridge a start sometime soon?

3. Something has to change – the victory against Bolton last time out was welcomed, but Ancelotti knew that the hard work was not over and the rot is yet to be rectified, which was proved after dropping two points and conceding 3 goals at home to the worst form side in the Premier League.

When Chelsea go behind in games it is hard to see who on the bench will change us a game and we don’t seem to be starting with a bang either these days, so January purchases must be taken into consideration. Regarding transfers, I’d rather see a right-winger or a forward come in as I have faith in Jeffrey Bruma to be an able fourth choice centre back.

Also, some work has to be done in the training ground for the defence as allowing a free header at the back post in stoppage time is criminal and I think Didier Drogba was right to point that out to Terry at the close of play.

4. Ancelotti’s substitutions – I realise that we have a lack of options on the bench, but there’s just something about the repetitive nature of Carlo’s substitutions that irks me somewhat. I don’t understand what the obligatory Ferreira off – Bosingwa on substitution is all about, it usually happens when we’re in a pickle and I’m a little baffled as to why Bosingwa can’t just start a game, so that we can use his pace and attacking ability from the offing?

As I said before, Carlo has can only work with what he has to hand, but we are better than we have been showing.

5. Frank Lampard –finishing on a high note – the talismanic midfielder is picking up match fitness and is starting to look like his old self. He scored a penalty (after missing his last three for club and country), was unlucky not to add to add to his total after Brad Friedel’s intervention, and was at the heart of all the good things that Chelsea did against Aston Villa.

We were without him for a long time and due to a lack of creative influence in the Blues’ ranks, he is vital to getting our season back on track.

It is getting rather depressing performing a post-mortem every time we have a bad result, but we can only hope for better in future.

This article was first published on TheShedEnder.com – click here to follow me on Twitter – @theshedender

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