Emerson enjoying Lampard’s high octane, direct football at Chelsea

Chelsea have played three matches this season and have won none. That is certainly not a great situation.

But those involved believe better days are ahead. That includes new starting left back Emerson, who’s played every single minute so far and by being one of Chelsea’s best performers, has kept Marcos Alonso firmly rooted to the bench.

“We’ve gone three matches at the start of the season without winning and it’s difficult because we always play to win. There were tough matches against Man United and Leicester but we really need to make sure we turn our chances into goals to get three points.

“It’s normal when you’re at Chelsea that there’s pressure on every match because it’s a big club and that’s just part of the game. The manager is definitely keeping calm though and just making sure we’re in the best position to do our best.”

“It’s a new season with a new manager and new ideas. We have a young team in comparison to last season but in the last three matches we’ve played, even though we haven’t got the results we were looking for, I think we’ve shown a good level of football.”

Lampard’s system may not be delivering just yet, but it does look promising. The high octane, aggressive, and direct football is certainly a welcome change from last year’s bland displays.

Emerson believes results will soon follow suit.

“With Frank, we’re trying to play very direct football, always trying to attack and be as close to the goal as possible. We’re looking to get our centre-forwards into the game so that means lots of crosses into the area and balls into them.

“We’re creating chances and I’m sure the goals will follow. Against Leicester, in the first 15 minutes we had several shots on goal and against Manchester United we had both Tammy Abraham and myself hit the frame of the goal. Frank is always looking for us to play in that way.

“The message is all about intensity and direct, offensive football so we’re working on improving that because we know we have quality in our team. We have so much potential to improve going forward with a manager who’s always working with us on the offensive aspect. I’m really enjoying the fact we’re playing this way in such an offensive style and I’m sure the results will come.”

While Lampard’s football is fun when it works, it won’t be much fun at all if we don’t figure out a way to turn the spectacle on the pitch into numbers on the scoreboard and points in the table.

At the end of the day, football is a business and that business will only flourish with wins and at least a top four finish and Champions League qualification. The players themselves will want to be winning trophies as well, and if they can’t achieve those ambitions at Chelsea, they will look for greener pastures elsewhere.

Emerson himself has collected two trophies in his 18 months at the club, and is clearly hungry for more.

“I arrived a year-and-a-half ago and I’m just so happy at Chelsea. Things have progressed naturally and I’m still young, only 25, so I have a lot of potential and a lot more to give. I’m feeling very happy and relaxed here, which will be important for my progression.

“My ambition is always to do my best and help the team in any way I can. I’ve already won the FA Cup and the Europa League, which are collective goals but also personal objectives that I set for myself. It gets harder every year but I just want to do my best and hopefully help Chelsea win another trophy. The objective I set myself is every season to bring home silverware for this club.”

-Emerson; source: Chelsea FC

Time to win!