Chelsea crashed to a defeat in their first Champions League game under Frank Lampard, losing 1-0 to Valencia on Tuesday night.
However, they should have got a point after being awarded a VAR penalty with just three minutes of the game left.
Ross Barkley insisted on taking the spot-kick after a debate with Jorginho and Willian, but smashed his shot off the top of the bar.
Chelsea also lost Mason Mount to an ankle injury in the first half in a thoroughly miserable night at Stamford Bridge.
Many Chelsea fans were left fuming at Cesar Azpilicueta following the game. He was the captain but fans said he wasn’t vocal enough, couldn’t motivate the team, and claimed he should have intervened when Barkley insisted on taking the penalty.
Here are the best reactions from Chelsea fans on Twitter:
Azpilicueta needs to leave Chelsea. He’s been a loyal servant but he’s not captain material and he’s made too many mistakes already. Chelsea need a strong, vocal captain who will get the players in line.
— Eric (@eric___OB) September 18, 2019
Azpilicueta shud be replaced as soon as possible he has cost. Chelsea every game this season
Pedro should not have played …Pulisic was a better option
Generally Lampard cost for us the game— Feel_My_Bicep (@MartynaAsiimwe) September 18, 2019
Azpilicueta came in for a lot of stick after the game but we think it’s got more to do with his captaincy and the penalty incident in particular. He wasn’t the worst player on the pitch for Chelsea by a long distance.
According to WhoScored, he was the third-best Chelsea player on the pitch, behind Marcos Alonso and Willian, with a 6.8 rating. The three central defenders and Kepa Arrizabalaga all scored lower.
One fan said he had cost Chelsea every game this season, but under Lampard, his side has only lost one other game, against Man United. Azpilicueta had his worst game of the season then, according to WhoScored, but still rated higher than Arrizabalaga, Kurt Zouma, Jorginho and Andreas Christensen.
Jorginho should be Chelsea's captain in my opinion. Vocal on the pitch unlike Azpilicueta.
— Ser (@DW_OGB) September 18, 2019
The youngsters weren't the problem. It was Willian and Pedro on the wings. It was Azpilicueta with his scuffed crosses from the right. It was Barkley missing a penalty.
— Corey Aitken (@CoZa93) September 18, 2019
I keep getting hate for this but I will keep saying it nontheless. Azpilicueta is NOT worthy of being captain. He is not a leader, he’s barely good enough to be an individual. Our captain should be able to intluence the game, get the best out of his teammates. Azpi cant do that.
— Omar (@OWalaya) September 18, 2019
Willian and Azpilicueta absolutely the two worst players at this club
— M???????? (@TacticalCFC) September 18, 2019
Don’t forget Azpilicueta who is a total embarrassment now.
— SAY NO TO RACISM ©? (@Chelseafrustra1) September 18, 2019
Funny thing is Azpilicueta was no where around when all that was happening, Willian had to even step in.
All that Azpi does is wear the armband before match begins, play like shit and clap to the fans after the game..
He's being very clueless with that captain armband
— Kevin Nyabuto (@kevinnyakundi6) September 18, 2019
The penalty incident was a major talking point in the game. There did appear to be some confusion, with Barkley taking the ball from Jorginho.
After the game, Willian suggested that either he or Jorginho should have taken the spot-kick, but Frank Lampard came out afterwards and said that Barkley was right to take it and that if he’s on the pitch he’s the designated penalty taker.
Talking in the Telegraph he said, “Ross is the penalty taker, he was in pre-season and scored a couple. He has been when he started, he was when he came on today and he missed it. That is the clear story.”
If that is the case, Azpilicueta should surely have been more vocal and stepped in to diffuse the situation on the pitch immediately. The debate over who was going to take the penalty can’t have helped Barkley.
Lampard needs to shake some deadweight in this squad. Azpilicueta, Willian, Barkley, and Zouma should not be on the first team list. What happened to Pulisic?
— Caleb Msheliza (ANIPR, ACICRM) (@MshelizaCaleb) September 17, 2019
Kepa looks suspect, back 3 looked solid, Azpilicueta can’t cross for the love of money, when James is back Azpilicueta should move to center back, need RLC in the middle driving force going forward, Pulisic needs to start or at least get a game and Barkley needs to do one
— Tony Malacarne (@tonymalacarne) September 17, 2019
Azpilicueta is also the worst captain Chelsea have had in over a decade. He isn’t vocal, he’s below par as a right back, and he’s let controversy cloud performances more than once.
Jorginho or Rüdiger captain for me.
— . (@MedianoEra) September 17, 2019
Azpilicueta is a spineless captain, totally not in control of the team, Willian and Jorginho were on the pitch but Barkley was very selfish, he should stay away from taking penalty….his selfishness cost us this game
— TUNDE WINNER (@opewinner) September 17, 2019