Arsene Wenger critical of three Chelsea players after Southampton draw
Speaking on beIN Sports (h/t Daily Star), former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has blasted three Chelsea players for their displays against Southampton.
Chelsea saw their winning run come to an end on Saturday afternoon as they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Saints at St. Mary’s. Takumi Minamino put the hosts ahead in the first half before a Mason Mount penalty brought Chelsea level after the break.
Despite hogging possession, Chelsea weren’t able to create much, leaving a lot to be desired with their performance. And, ex-Arsenal boss Wenger has laid the blame to three Chelsea players’ feet for the outcome.
Those three players are wing-back Reece James and centre-backs Cesar Azpilicueta and Kurt Zouma, with Wenger believing that they did not do enough to stop Minamino from scoring in the first half.
“Zouma has turned completely, the space between him and Azpilicueta, look where Reece James is. He should be in there and Azpilicueta much more in. There’s no communication but what the striker does is exceptional.”
Zouma hasn’t been a regular under new manager Thomas Tuchel. But having been handed a chance on Saturday, the Frenchman failed to make the most of it.
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It was an unconvincing performance as a whole from the team. And the players must pull their socks up and produce a strong reaction as Atletico Madrid are up next in the UEFA Champions League next week.
Hopefully, there is a chance we will have Thiago Silva back for the game, with the Brazilian pictured in training earlier in the week. His return should make the backline more disciplined and organised.