Chelsea slipped to a crushing defeat on Saturday evening against Sheffield United, which is a big dent in the club’s attempt to finish in the top four of the Premier League.
Frank Lampard’s side were humbled 3-0 at Bramall Lane by Sheffield United, who were clinical with their chances in front of goal and dangerous on the counter attack.
David McGoldrick scored his first two goals of the season for the hosts, plus Oli McBurnie netted a header when found unmarked in the penalty box.
Meanwhile, the Blues completely lacked the attacking spark they have so often had this season and failed to penetrate the opposition’s defence.
Chelsea do remain in third for now, but will be overtaken by both Leicester City and Manchester United if they win their one game in hand.
Some Chelsea supporters on social media were left mystified that Mateo Kovacic was an unused substitute in the contest, despite the fact Lampard used his full allocation of five substitutions in the game.
The 26-year-old midfielder had missed the previous two fixtures with an Achilles injury, but was fit enough to return to the bench against Sheffield United and wasn’t called upon.
He’s arguably been the Blues player of the year due to the level of performances in the centre of the park, particular before football was caused to a halt mid-season.
Chelsea certainly lacked a creative spark in the centre of the park, plus both Billy Gilmour and N’Golo Kante are currently sidelined through injury.
Here are some Chelsea fans discussing the Kovacic omission, as they felt he would have been an ideal impact player:
Tactically Sheffield United are well drilled. I thought Kovacic would’ve been a better option today. No penetration through their press. Jorginho’s passing wasn’t going to get us through that.
— 🏴2019🏆We hit more Boundaries than NZ (@BackOnYourTL) July 11, 2020
We lost the game the moment Lampard took off Mount without Kovacic on the pitch.
— Azeez Olajide ❼ (@zeezish_) July 11, 2020
If this performance doesn’t show you how much we miss Kovacic and Kante then I don’t know what to tell you.
— Riley (@rileycfc) July 11, 2020
Why Kovacic wasn’t subbed on when we went to a two man midfield is beyond me..
— TwoChelseaFans (@TwoChelseaFans) July 11, 2020
A match that needs a ball carrier, someone to take on players and open up the defence but Kovacic is chilling on the bench.
A match that needs you to go long and by pass the midfield but Giroud was on the bench for over one hour and Tammy played 90 mins.
— Ṣọlá Oyèníyì (Ọmọ Ọba) (@sholsss) July 11, 2020
Why didn’t Kovacic play? Jorginho should go back to the bench
— Jagz (@iammrsage) July 11, 2020
Need more physicality. Should of started kovacic and giroud
— Matt (@SlickM32) July 11, 2020
Kovacic is our best player of the season why isn’t he playing horror show
— KUMNANDI (@KUMNANDIII) July 11, 2020
Bro where is Kovacic?
— rohan (@artemiscrockfan) July 11, 2020