Chelsea interim boss Frank Lampard insisted that his current Blues side do not have enough “killers” in a clear message to co-owner Todd Boehly ahead of the upcoming transfer window. Raheem Sterling scored twice on Saturday but the team were unable to seal back-to-back victories having succumbed to a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, as Chelsea continue to languish in mid-table following a disappointing season.
Chelsea have scored just 36 goals in 35 Premier League games this season – only Wolves, Everton and Southampton have fewer – as a lack of a recognised number nine has been lambasted throughout the season after Boehly and co’s £600million-plus spending spree after arriving at Stamford Bridge a year ago.
Sterling, Joao Felix and Noni Madueke comprised the front three against Forest, but Lampard was clear in his post-match press conference that more firepower needed to be brought to the club for incoming next boss Mauricio Pochettino next season. “They’re small steps forward,” Lampard said in regard to Sterling’s brace.
“Raheem is a player that has the credit in the bank, as such, that he’s been a regular goal scorer in the Premier League and for his country. To see him score there, that’s Raheem, arriving for a cross and then individual brilliance. I’m very happy for him.
“It’s what we need at the top end of the pitch. Raheem has done it and he’s done it again. You need to win games when you have 76 per cent possession and you need killers at the top end of the pitch and Raheem has proven to be that. At the moment, we do not have enough of that.”
Chelsea had 77 per cent possession against Steve Cooper’s relegation-threatened side, but could only muster three more shots than their visitors on the day. Lampard was pleased with a lot of the build-up play but once again lamented their cutting edge – something which could be improved if the club do land one of their summer targets such as Napoli’s Victor Osimhen for Pochettino.
“We were playing like we want the team to play, but you have to have speed in the final third of the game and at the moment, we’re too comfortable getting up there and being slow and it’s not hard enough to defend against,” Lampard added.
“So that is a game for me with big possession where we should have more shots, be more clinical, have more killers, but at the moment that isn’t the case.
“I think that’s a process that will need time because that’s not changing right now because as much as you want to talk about it, it has to be impacted by players affecting it and doing it.”
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