Paul Merson warns Frank Lampard about Chelsea FC tactic
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson doesn't believe Chelsea FC are ready to play out from the back
Paul Merson has warned Frank Lampard that Chelsea FC need to be careful about playing it out from the back after David Luiz’s departure.
The Blues sold the Brazil international to Arsenal in an £8m deal on transfer deadline day last week in a surprise move for the South American centre-half.
Former Paris Saint-Germain star Luiz was a ball-playing defender that wasn’t afraid to push the boundaries when building from the back in the Chelsea FC team.
Lampard opted to start with Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma as his centre-half pairing for the trip to Manchester United in their Premier League opener.
While the Denmark international is adept in possession, Zouma looked decidedly cumbersome both with and without the ball.
The French defender conceded a first-half penalty that allowed Marcus Rashford to break the deadlock from the spot before Manchester United scored three times in the second half.
Former Arsenal midfielder Merson believes Lampard needs to be careful about asking players such as Zouma to show too much adventure on the ball in dangerous positions.
“Frank Lampard has got to be careful. Chelsea have let their best ball-playing defender leave to go to their rivals, not just in London but in the top four,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“None of their defenders can play out from the back.
“I can understand if Chelsea pushed everyone up to the halfway line, the goalkeeper kicks it, and they play in the other half, but if you’re asking them to start playing out from the back, they’re going to get beaten left, right and centre.
“Kurt Zouma just didn’t look ready. He didn’t look ready before this, which is why he went out on loan. It’s a dangerous, dangerous game. The fans liked David Luiz.
“They need to get results quickly, because the fans won’t be happy watching them play out and lose the ball.”
Chelsea FC will take on Liverpool FC in the Uefa Super Cup on Wednesday night following their Europa League triumph last term.
The Blues will take on Leicester City in their next Premier League fixture on Sunday afternoon.
