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Chelsea pair slammed by Graeme Souness as Frank Lampard selection policy questioned
Graeme Souness has torn into Chelsea midfielders Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic over their performances this season.
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Graeme Souness has questioned the ability of Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic while also challenging Frank Lampard's midfield selection policy. The former Liverpool captain and Sky Sports pundit has been unimpressed with the pair's attacking returns this season and can't understand why the Chelsea manager picks them in the same side.
Jorginho and Kovacic both featured in the 1-0 win over Norwich last time out, with the Italian ace notching up just his second start since the end of lockdown as he deputised for the injured N'Golo Kante.
And Kovacic was making his return after suffering an ankle problem against West Ham earlier this month, but Souness is not ready to cut either player some slack for their displays against the already-relegated Canaries.
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However, the 67-year-old's criticism also extended to other Chelsea midfielders with Souness calling on Lampard's men to show more attacking intent.
Writing for The Times, Souness said: "Maybe I’m missing something here but why does Frank Lampard — one of the most prolific goalscoring midfielders in Premier League history — keep selecting Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic in Chelsea’s central midfield?
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"It wasn’t until I looked at the statistics on Friday that I fully appreciated how ineffectual they have been.
"This season, Kovacic has a solitary goal from 29 league appearances; for Jorginho, the return is four from the same number of games, three of them from the penalty spot.
"Add in Ross Barkley (one in 20) and N’Golo Kanté (three from 22), and you wonder how Chelsea are third.
"It’s not even as if this campaign has been a blip. Last season, that quartet contributed a total of nine goals in 132 league appearances.
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"I would love to have played against Jorginho and Kovacic. The pair are good at keeping possession and easy on the eye but that is as far as it goes.
"I wouldn’t have had to worry about them making runs in behind me because everything they do is in front of the opposition midfield.
"Please don’t tell me they play holding or defensive roles. Anyone who aspires to play in the middle of the park should have the full facet of skills — tackling, passing, shooting and finishing — and be looking to use them at all times.
"The footballer who is happy to embed himself in a deeper role is withdrawing into his comfort zone and betraying himself as a midfielder.
"It’s not even as if they are doing a good job shielding their defence because Chelsea have conceded 49 goals in 36 matches. Ten teams have conceded fewer."
Souness did not include Mason Mount in his criticism, with the 21-year-old having contributed six goals and five assists during a breakthrough campaign at Stamford Bridge.
The Scot is a fan of Mount and singled out the England international for praise earlier this season.
Speaking about Mount to Sky Sports following Chelsea's 2-0 win over Tottenham in December, Souness said: “I thought he was fabulous (against Spurs).
“That day Chelsea were almost faultless. The only criticism you have is they didn’t score enough goals.
"They played with real purpose in midfield and the ball was always played forward. I think he (Frank Lampard) has made his mind up that he plays Jorginho or Kovacic.
"I think if you are an England manager you have got to be looking at him very closely. I know he is young. Starting with him, building your midfield around him.
"He silky, sees a great picture, has brilliant technique, looks to be a great type and works his socks off.
"A real team player with having all that ability it is what you want.
"He is a star in the making and I would think looking at him and his personality and the way he reacts to things on the field he is not someone who will allow the big hit to arrive on his shoulders. I’m a big fan of his.”
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