Micah Richards and Alan Shearer have just held an interesting discussion regarding Chelsea.
The Blues suffered a 4-1 defeat away at Liverpool earlier this week in the Premier League, which threatens to derail them just as they were finding some form.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side currently sit 10th in the league table due to their inconsistency this season.
It does feel like Chelsea’s campaign now largely rests on this month’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley Stadium.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast this week, Micah Richards has suggested that everyone shouldn’t yet go overboard with their criticism of Chelsea. In fact, he’s said the Blues can improve once they’ve got a full collection of players available, something we’ve not seen due to many injuries in the squad.
But Alan Shearer was left stunned and questioned his fellow pundit.
Richards said: “Did we expect Chelsea to go to Anfield and get a result? Probably not. I think it is disappointing with the money that they have spent but I do believe once they get everyone back and when Poch can really put his stamp on things, and they get a striker, they can perform better.”
Shearer responded: “Hang on a minute! When they get everyone back? When they get a striker? Who else have they got to come back!”
Richards then added: “[Christopher] Nkunku has come back from injury and it’s been difficult, [Ben] Chilwell is not up to speed, you have one of the best right-backs in the league in Reece James injured as well. You have [Levi] Colwill who is out. [Marc] Cucurella who is out. [Wesley] Fofana who was unbelievable at Leicester and, yes, they have not been good enough but I would like to see them with a fully fit squad who the manager wants and who can sort of work off that basis.”
Chelsea injuries haven’t helped
Of course, it’s fair to argue that Chelsea would be doing much better this season had they been a bit luckier with injuries. However, it’s not enough to defend them sitting 10th in the league table.
One of the names Richards mentioned is Blues defender Wesley Fofana.
We’ve not seen the 23-year-old centre-back play a single minute this campaign due to injury, which has certainly been a real blow.
Journalist Graeme Bailey exclusively told The Chelsea Chronicle last month that Chelsea still have a lot of confidence that Fofana will come good at Stamford Bridge.
Similarly, talented 26-year-old attacker Christopher Nkunku has barely played during his debut campaign.
These are potential explanations rather than excuses as to why Chelsea are a long way short this year.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
