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Frank Lampard’s Chelsea have no margin for error as search for winning formula continues

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard: PA
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard: PA

Chelsea have no margin for error in their quest for a top-four spot. Frank Lampard’s team face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park tonight knowing that they cannot afford to drop points.

Manchester United have gathered momentum since the Premier League’s restart and are now just two points behind the London club.

United appear to have the easier run-in. It is critical for Lampard that his side claim maximum points in their three games over the next eight days to maintain fourth place in the table.

Palace tonight and Norwich City at home in a week’s time should be straightforward wins but Sheffield United away on Saturday will present a real test.

It has been a good campaign for Lampard. Many of the squad have exceeded expectations and grown in stature over past 11 months.

Christian Pulisic has developed into a real threat to defences. In the 3-0 victory over Watford on Saturday his running on the ball dragged the defence out of shape. The 21-year-old generated the penalty that gave Chelsea a two-goal cushion and eased their nerves in the 3-0 victory but his impact was more widespread. Pulisic was a constant menace.

Lampard is delighted with the winger’s progress. When Pulisic signed from Borussia Dortmund for £57.6 million there were questions about whether he could adapt to the physicality of the Premier League. Watford were rugged and tested Pulisic’s toughness but he came through with ease.

Lampard wants more improvement in the goals and assists categories but these are parts of his game that can be worked on at the training ground.

There are times when Pulisic keeps his head down too long during a dribble but it is clear that opposition defences fear his disruptive presence.

Team-mates benefit from the space the winger produces. With Reece James raiding down the opposite wing, Chelsea stretch the back line. The Palace midfield will need to be disciplined tonight to avoid being over-run.

Mason Mount of Chelsea (PA)
Mason Mount of Chelsea (PA)

Ross Barkley and Mason Mount both have plenty of ability.

Against Watford they sat too deep in the first half and did not take full advantage of the havoc caused by Pulisic. When Barkley ranged towards the edge of the penalty area he became a huge threat. On the opening goal he controlled a well-directed but seemingly overhit pass from Mount, spun and dinked in a clever ball to Olivier Giroud to score.

That was Barkley in a snapshot. He is a player whose ability shines through when he is at his most instinctive. At Everton he developed a reputation for making bad decisions on the ball. Give him too much time and he would overthink his reaction. His injury-time goal on Saturday showed the same natural ability, digging the ball out with his right foot before lashing it into the net with his left.

Lampard was one of the Premier League’s great goalscoring midfielders. His ability to arrive in the box at the right moment with a clever run was the hallmark of an intelligent footballer.

Barkley has more in common with Lampard’s great rival, Steven Gerrard, but if the manager can find a way of getting the midfielder into the areas where instinct takes over, the 26-year-old can play a significant role for club and country and provide a great foil for Mount’s precision passing.

Declan Rice is wanted by Chelsea (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Declan Rice is wanted by Chelsea (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea are less assured at the back.

Lampard is keen on bringing Declan Rice from West Ham United and grooming him as a centre back and it is easy to see why. Kurt Zouma’s positional sense is sometimes found wanting. Zouma and Andreas Christensen lack confidence in possession.

Early in the game against Watford Christensen came very close to being dispossessed in his own area when subject to a heavy press. The duo lack authority in the air and will be tested by Palace tonight and Sheffield United on Saturday.

There is a feeling that Chelsea are vulnerable to the counter-attack. Watford got behind James on a number of occasions but did not have the quality or conviction to exploit the space.

N’Golo Kante’s mobility helps Chelsea in these situations but the out-of-favour Jorginho is not ideally suited to covering quick breaks. Lampard will be hoping Kante recovers from a hamstring injury in time for the trip to Bramall Lane.

Frank Lampard congratulates Ross Barkley after full-time (Getty)
Frank Lampard congratulates Ross Barkley after full-time (Getty)

Chelsea made things hard for themselves by losing to West Ham last week and the team is still a work in progress but there are positive signs across the pitch.

The signings of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech add to Lampard’s wealth of attacking options for next season but the 42-year-old needs to shore up the back line.

Fifth place may earn a Champions League spot if Manchester City’s two-year ban by Uefa is upheld but Lampard will not want to take any chances.

He knows serious improvement is needed if the club is to compete with Liverpool and City. Chelsea have made progress.

The next week will show how far they have come and whether they are ready to make another leap forward.

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