Simon Phillips’ column this morning has some pretty tough assessments of the squad, in the light of yesterday’s defeat.
As plenty of us have done at our most concerned, he pointed to the fact that this coming summer is supposed to be the fourth of four windows refreshing the squad – yet we still seem like a team full of holes.
He points to one area in particular which worries him: the wingers.
Perhaps it’s just the frustrations of yesterday’s result and performance, plus the accumulated annoyance of this season, but he’s already decided two players need to go.
“Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke should be sold,” Phillips wrote.
“It night sound harsh to sell Madueke, but for me he seems a problem. The penalty incident, the partying incident, the smiling incident yesterday in the FA Cup, none of that bodes well. Yes, he is a young player, but he’s not a teen anymore, the lad is 22-years-old and should be showing much better maturity by now. Not a team player for me and if a decent offer comes in I’d not be hesitating in accepting. He’s certainly not a bad winger at all and has some real positives, but he’s just not good enough overall and I’d be looking to move him on.”
It’s damning, but hard to disagree with. Mykhailo Mudryk can count himself very lucky to not be included here too.
Two ineffective wide players too many
While Madueke’s indiscretions are frustrating and certainly potentially illustrate some immaturity, we’re more worried about his play on the pitch than we are about his childish behaviour when the ball isn’t rolling. After a year at the club we’ve seen precious little to convince us that he’s going to be Chelsea standard in the long run, and he’s certainly not a difference maker as it stands.
As for Sterling, we can also see the desire to move him on. But realistically, unless a guardian angel from Saudi Arabia comes down to save us, we’re going to have to live with the reality that he’s going nowhere.
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