Ian Wright criticises Frank Lampard’s decision in Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat vs Brentford

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Ian Wright has criticised Frank Lampard’s team selection in Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford yesterday.

It doesn’t get any easier right now for Chelsea supporters, who watched their team record a fifth consecutive defeat last night.

Frank Lampard, who’s the caretaker manager until the end of the season, has lost all five matches since returning to West London this month.

The Blues were comprehensively beaten by Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening, which only adds to the toxic atmosphere hanging over the club right now.

If Mauricio Pochettino is to become Chelsea’s next permanent manager, as The Telegraph suggests, he’s got a massive job on his hands with this squad.

BBC pundit Ian Wright suggests Lampard got it all wrong with Chelsea’s starting line-up against Brentford.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Wright said: “I can understand against Real Madrid not starting and trying to defend and keep it tight but I think against Brentford at home – I know he changed it at half time with [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang and [Mykhailo] Mudryk – you want to start with a bit more offensive power and really have a go at Brentford.”

In fairness, most Chelsea supporters couldn’t believe the starting XI that was announced last night.

Lampard decided to go with a back three of Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah behind goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Cesar Azpilicueta and Ben Chilwell started as wing-backs, too.

A midfield quartet of Enzo Fernandez, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Conor Gallagher all started. Finally, Raheem Sterling was the only recognised attacker in the line-up.

Chelsea did improve when forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mykhailo Mudryk entered the action as half-time substitutes, but it was another game where they didn’t look like scoring.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank admitted after the win against Chelsea he was “surprised” by Lampard’s starting XI, claiming it showed a lot of respect to his side.

This in itself shows how badly Lampard got it wrong yesterday.

We were in disbelief at the amount of attackers named on the substitute bench yesterday. Mudryk, Aubameyang, Joao Felix and Noni Madueke all entered the pitch as substitutes, but not one of them started.