Chelsea legend Wayne Bridge believes the club are crying out for a defensive leader and must make some changes if they are to start competing for trophies once again.
In an exclusive interview with 10bet, the former Blues left-back slammed the current state of Chelsea’s backline, including their goalkeeper situation.
Chelsea have crashed out of the Champions League 8-2 on aggregate at the hands of reigning European Champions Paris Saint-Germain.
In the Premier League, the club are currently sixth, three points away from fourth-placed Aston Villa.
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Chelsea’s defensive fragility
Chelsea have 11 first-team defenders in their squad at this moment in time, but injuries and suspensions have given them a lack of stability all season.
Blues captain Reece James has been in exceptional form, but has suffered another hamstring injury and will be sidelined for around two months.
This is, as always, a big blow for Chelsea.
Not only is he a brilliant player, but a brilliant leader – something Chelsea’s defense lacks when he’s not around.
“There’s one thing Chelsea need, and that’s a real leader at the back,” said Bridge.
“They probably need a centre-back who’s going to be that leader, lead the team and keep them shored up in defence, which at the moment they don’t really have because they’ve thrown points away.
“Thiago Silva going has been a massive miss.”
Bridging the gap to the top
On the surface, it may appear as though Chelsea’ defensive situation isn’t as bad as some are making it out to be.
In fact, Chelsea have conceded 35 goals in the Premier League so far this season, with only Manchester City and Arsenal having condeded fewer.
That gap is significant, though, and bridging it may prove to be a very big challenge.
Arsenal have formed one of the best defenses in Europe, and have conceded just 22 league goals so far this season, keeping 15 clean sheets along the way.
Whilst Bridge believes Chelsea are crying out for a defensive leader, he also recognises they are hard to come by.
“For defenders, it’s really hard to go out and get the best ones,” he said.
“You’ve got the ones at Arsenal — Saliba and Gabriel — who are doing well.
“All the teams that go and win the league have a good backbone and a strong centre-back pairing.”
Chelsea’s goalkeepers have also come under fire this season from fans and media alike.
Liam Rosenior’s first-choice keeper, Robert Sanchez, has had a season full of ups and downs.
One minute he’s the hero between the sticks, the next minute he’s letting goals in left right and centre.
His understudy, Filip Jorgensen, has struggled when given the chance.
“Chelsea have been spoiled with the goalkeepers they’ve had in the past,” said Bridge.
“I’d probably say they need a goalie – I don’t know who.”
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Rosenior needs time
When Rosenior took charge of Chelsea in January, many fans felt underwhelmed with the appointment.
The 41-year-old was prised away from Strasbourg and was made Chelsea boss less than two years after being sacked by Hull City.
During his time in charge so far, their results have been a mixed bag.
There have been highs, like the 4-1 win at Villa Park or the thrilling 3-2 comeback against West Ham.
The lows, however, have been very low.
Most recently, Chelsea were embarrassed by Paris Saint-Germain on the biggest stage, crashing out of the Champions League 8-2 on aggregate.
Despite some worrying signs, Bridge has urged the club to stick with Rosenior.
“I think it’s quite good to build something gradually, and Chelsea are in a rebuild stage of their development,” he said.
“I love seeing younger managers getting a chance because how else are they going to get one?
“Football fans might want a manager who’s already established, but if you bring him in and you’ve got people above him that are just going to sack him if he doesn’t achieve something in the first year, then you’re throwing money down the drain a bit.”
Are Chelsea on the same page?
At the same time, Bridge has also highlighted what appears to be a disconnect between the manager and the board at Chelsea.
He said: “I look at football these days and sometimes I look at a team and just think, what’s going on?
“I think it definitely comes down to the connection between the manager and the people higher up — everyone being on the same path.
“Rather than having a manager who’s responsibility is purely what happens on the pitch, while the people above him lead the recruitment strategy.
“There must be a tight-knit unit between everyone, and you all have to be on the same wavelength.
“From the outside, it’s very hard to tell what’s really going on.”
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