Danny Murphy explains what Chelsea are 'lacking' as Premier League title hopes disappear

01/05/2025 05:37 AM

Chelsea are lacking an experienced player who can help their game management which has cost them vital points in the Premier League title race.

That is the opinion of Danny Murphy following the Blues’ 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The visitors dominated the opening half-hour at Selhurst Park, deservedly taking the lead courtesy of Cole Palmer, but failed to take further chances.

Palace got back into the game and in the 82nd minute capitalised on a defensive error, allowing Jean-Philippe Mateta to tap home from six yards.

The result means Chelsea have taken just two points from their last four games, leaving them fourth in the table and nine points off leaders Liverpool having played two matches more.

While Enzo Maresca had always denied that his side were in a title race, it is clear there is still a way to go before his team are ready to challenge for the biggest trophies.

The head coach said post-match that a lack of clinicalness was to blame for the dropped point but Murphy thinks they have another problem, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘It's game management where Chelsea are lacking at times.

‘They need to know when to slow things down, having some men drop off, having someone sitting alongside Moises Caicedo in the base of midfield, instead of this constant trying to go forward.

‘Against Fulham, it was similar to today. It ended up being end to end and like a basketball game towards the end, and they lost.

‘There is still the quality there, and they are a young side. I still think they will be strong in the second half of the season.’

At 23.5-years-old, Chelsea have on average the youngest squad in the Premier League, which can partly explain their inconsistent results over the past few seasons.

Analysing the game further on Match of the Day, Murphy highlighted individual errors from Chelsea players, including the one that lead to Mateta’s equaliser.

‘[Robert] Sanchez, I’m not sure he should be looking to play out,’ the former Liverpool midfielder added.

‘They’re winning the game, they’re in the last 10 minutes of the game, why put them under that pressure?

‘Palmer is normally great on the ball but he shouldn’t be coming there to get it anyway. [Malo] Gusto’s already high and wide, I don’t know why and then they concede.

‘It’s difficult for a young group to manage games really well when you don’t have the experience and the wisdom.’

Chelsea host high-flying Bournemouth in their next Premier League match but before then they face Morecambe in the FA Cup third-round this Saturday.

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