‘Lampard got Lamptey call wrong’ – Chelsea should’ve blocked Brighton move, says Hudson

 The Blues legend believes a promising right-back offers qualities that those at Stamford Bridge could have benefitted from in the present and future

Frank Lampard made a mistake in allowing Tariq Lamptey to leave Chelsea for Brighton, says Alan Hudson, with the Blues boss told he got that transfer call “wrong”.

The highly-rated full-back is a product of the famed academy system at Stamford Bridge.

Lamptey progressed through those ranks to break into the first team set-up, but was given just one competitive outing before seeking minutes elsewhere.

Brighton were happy to buy into the 20-year-old’s potential and have offered him a Premier League stage on which to thrive.

The diminutive defender has been doing just that, with his pace and positioning allowing him to impact proceedings at both ends of the field.

Hudson believes those qualities should have been embraced in west London, despite Cesar Azpilicueta and Reece James already battling for a right-back berth, with Chelsea considered to have made a questionable decision that they may live to regret.

“I look at the young lad Lamptey they sold to Brighton, who has impressed me hugely,” Hudson told CaughtOffside.

“I would have kept him as he is most definitely one for the future.

“He has been outstanding at Brighton since lockdown. He’s quick at turning defence into attack, which is something Chelsea lack – real pace with quality at the end of it.

“I think Frank Lampard got this one wrong.”

Lamptey pushed for the exits at Chelsea as the fierce competition he faced was always going to see his development stunted.

The Blues have continued to invest heavily in fresh faces since he departed, with Lampard overseeing an elaborate summer spending spree.

A new left-back formed part of that project, with Ben Chilwell lured away from Leicester in a £50 million ($65m) deal.

The England international arrived in new surroundings nursing a knock, preventing him from slotting straight into the fold.

He has, however, broken into the Blues side of late and netted on his Premier League debut as Crystal Palace were swept aside 4-0 last time out.

Hudson believes Chilwell can be a useful asset for Chelsea, but says he is not reading too much into an eye-catching outing against the Eagles which saw Roy Hodgson’s side offer little resistance.

The former midfielder said of another buccaneering full-back: “He settled in well enough but you cannot tell against such bad opposition.

“It’s much like saying the centre-backs look good when the opposition play with no attackers.

“We can only really judge if this is a good buy after he faces much sterner opposition.”

Posted by Ibemesichisom October 06, 2020

Frank Lampard gave Marcos Alonso ‘furious dressing down’ after West Brom draw

 

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is under increased pressure after spending over £200 million on new players this summer.

A flurry of high-profile players have arrived at Stamford Bridge in recent months including Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell, prompting speculation over whether the Blues might be outsiders for the 2020-21 Premier League title.

But after their opening three fixtures, Lampard’s side have only taken four points and currently find themselves eighth in the table at the time of writing.

The west London outfit recorded a 3-1 win away at Brighton in their opening game before losing 2-0 at home to Liverpool.

Chelsea were then expected to bounce back with a victory away at West Brom on Saturday but found themselves 3-0 down after 27 minutes following some calamitous defending.

Lampard’s side fought back to seal a point thanks to Tammy Abraham’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser, but Chelsea’s manager ripped one of his players to shreds inside the away dressing room at the Hawthorns after the match.

According to The Athletic’s Simon Johnson and David Ornstein, Marcos Alonso - booked in the eighth minute and subbed off at half-time for Cesar Azpilicueta - was subjected to a furious dressing down by Lampard in front of ‘stunned teammates’.

Lampard was livid after discovering that Alonso headed to the team bus without permission after being taken off at half-time, rather than watching the second half from the bench.

Mateo Kovacic was also subbed off at the interval but, unlike Alonso, took his place in the stands after taking a shower.

Chelsea staff were reportedly surprised to see the Spanish left-back in a different area to where the away group were expected to be - especially due to the strict rules regarding Covid-19 protocols - before Lampard gave him both barrels after the match.

The Athletic say Lampard criticised Alonso in front of the rest of the squad.

Insiders have described the Chelsea legend as being ‘the angriest they’ve ever seen him’.

Meanwhile, one source has told The Athletic that Lampard was so furious with Alonso they would “be surprised if he plays for Chelsea ever again.”

Lampard also criticised the 29-year-old to reporters when asked about Chelsea’s poor defending during the opening 45 minutes.

“The first one Marcos heads it into the middle of the pitch for them for a transition,” he said.

“Marcos loses his man for the third goal from the corner, a clear mistake. You can do as many meetings as you want, if you are going to make those mistakes you give yourself a mountain to climb.”

Following these latest developments, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Alonso dropped completely for the upcoming games against Tottenham and Crystal Palace.

With just over a week remaining before the transfer window closes, perhaps Lampard is even considering offloading Alonso.

Posted by Ibemesichisom September 28, 2020