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#4 On-field Leadership
Having skilled players who can outplay the opposition is key to winning football matches but it is equally important to have leaders on the field who can shepherd their teammates through different situations. Emotions run high in football and at various times players need to be motivated and admonished. Some may require guidance or calming down. The presence of players who can speak with both their personality and their football elevates the whole team and can be the difference in crunch situations. Chelsea had an abundance of such players in John Terry, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Petr Cech.
The only player who fits that mould in the current team is Cesar Azpilicueta. It is no surprise that Maurizio Sarri's major concern with his team this season has been their lacklustre second half performances and a lack of fight after going a goal down. While Hazard can single-handedly change matches with his dazzling skill, he has not proven to be an effective leader under duress. David Luiz is a great communicator and a prominent dressing room personality, however his questionable decision making on the field detract from his leadership. Meanwhile, club captain Gary Cahill has been all but frozen out by Sarri.
Irrespective of whether he fits into Sarri's playing system, Cahill must be involved in the training sessions, team meetings and in the dressing room as a leader. Even without playing, he is too valuable a resource to be simply wasted away. Meanwhile, Chelsea should look to buy somebody in the mould of Virgil Van Dijk or Fernandinho as a long term solution.
