Chelsea manager Frank Lampard released the team sheet ahead of the Saturday night Premier League match against west London rivals Fulham. With Zouma, Werner, Havertz, Billy Gilmour and Callum Hudson-Odoi all left out, some would say the next weekend’s clash against Leicester City would be on the boss’ mind. But it has left few of the Chelsea faithful fuming.
It is Zouma’s first league match on the bench this season and the reason for Hudson-Odoi’s absence may just be Leicester. Billy Gilmour looked likely to start after slowly making his way back after a lengthy injury, as was Kai Havertz after an impressive performance in the FA Cup against Morecambe.
Instead of Werner upfront, veteran Giroud has been handed a start – alongside Ziyech and Pulisic in a strong front three. The midfield sees Mason Mount operate with surprise starter Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic.
Mendy takes place between the posts, with a defensive four of Chilwell, Rudiger, Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta.
While the situation may not be as bad as the reactions suggest, here are few of the Chelsea fans on Twitter making their voice known:
I thought we played players based on merit
— yasin sheble (@YasinSheble) January 16, 2021
Deserves better. pic.twitter.com/1Ma0FeILCu
— Ayden (@AydenMalek) January 16, 2021
As I’ve said in tweets I don’t care about the team as a whole, it’s a good enough team to beat Fulham, it’s the fact Lampard talks about playing on merit and yet the kid is scoring and assisting and gets benched! When you ready for adult conversation then come back!
— Black Dave (@browneskin84) January 16, 2021
No Hudson-Odoi
No Gilmour
No Reece
No Havertz
No ZoumaChelsea fans: pic.twitter.com/ytVqpxCrJL
— FutbolChelsea (@FutbolCheIsea) January 16, 2021
Without Reece James, you need Ziyech on the pitch for delivery.
Pulisic needs to start because of what he’s capable of.
Hudson-Odoi is in form & will come on as a sub and make a huge impact.
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) January 16, 2021
Lol. I’m out of words.
— ExpectedChelsea (@ExpectedChelsea) January 16, 2021
Our bench is better than the first XI, if i speak i’m in big trouble
— 🎩 (@CFCLamps_) January 16, 2021
CHO on the bench 🤬
It’s not about Pulisic, it’s not about Ziyech, they could easily be great today…
It’s about the fact that Callum Hudson-Odoi deserves to start as much as anyone right now, if not more. This is getting utterly ridiculous.
— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) January 16, 2021
Not sure why Jorginho is playing instead of Gilmore but I’m more then happy to explain why Havertz and Werner aren’t playing if you like?
— Kenneth (@NiceGuyKenny) January 16, 2021
Ok damn, didn’t expect Jorginho and Rudiger to start, would have thought Gilmour and potentially Callum would have made it in… Havertz too…. don’t wanna judge and be negative so let’s get 3 points 👍 https://t.co/ZlagBBmLoD
— Hashim (@CFCHash) January 16, 2021
As usual mount has to be innn