Frank Lampard is 14 league games into his reunion at Chelsea and this far there can be few complaints.
The Blues manager has negotiated a transfer embargo by playing youth team squad members who would have otherwise been on loan, and they still sit in the Champions League positions. Despite this, Chelsea have lost all of their games in which they’ve gone behind this season, and it will be a high priority of Lampard’s to solve that issue.
While the manager himself may take some blame as his substitutions can influence proceedings, his players need to take some responsibility and there is one in particular who has shown promise that he can influence games when they are behind. Christian Pulisic.
The American winger did just that when he put Chelsea ahead, having previously been behind, against Valencia in the Champions League. He was also on the field when Chelsea came from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 against Ajax, where the Blues proved they are capable of coming from behind to pick up points.
Considering they have been capable of comebacks in a tricky Champions League group, it is surprising they had no response when going behind against West Ham at the weekend. Their other three losses were against significantly more challenging opponents Manchester City, Liverpool and the opening day defeat to Manchester United.
Since his hat-trick against Burnley, Pulisic has put in two more man of the match performances in the Premier League, and in all competitions, he has six goals so far this season. It is the 21-year-old’s goal scoring contribution that will be required to make sure Chelsea are able to come from behind to overturn a deficit, as most sides will sit back into a low block as if they go ahead against the Blues, as West Ham did.
The Hammers conceded 66 per cent of possession and afforded the host 19 shots, though only six were on target. In this situation, when space is at a premium, Pulisic will need to utilise his outstanding dribbling ability and eye for a key pass to pry open a stubborn defence.
Pulisic is naturally going to be compared to Eden Hazard having assumed the Belgian winger’s position at Stamford Bridge. But if he to take his performances in a Chelsea shirt to the next level and become the creative force his predecessor was, he must start dragging his side back into Premier League games when they go behind.
