Liam Delap has become the latest Chelsea player to wheel out the same tired lines after another defeat, insisting the Blues “didn’t deserve” to lose to Manchester United despite, well, losing.
The young striker got a rare start at the weekend. He did not score. Chelsea lost. Again.
That is six defeats in their last seven league games. Six. Let that sink in.
But according to Delap, the performance was there. The chances were there. Just not the result.
‘On another day we score four’
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website, because someone had to, Delap delivered the now familiar script.
“It’s really disappointing because we feel we didn’t deserve that,” he said. “We were the better team. It’s a horrible feeling.
“Obviously we had one man go off and we needed to switch on and defend that moment, and we didn’t.
“On another day we score four in the second half, but it was just one of those days.”
One of those days. That is the phrase Chelsea players have been clinging to for months. At some point, it stops being bad luck and starts being a pattern.
‘We’re creating plenty of chances’
Delap continued, seemingly unaware of how many times these exact words have been spoken in the Chelsea dressing room this season.
“It’s not like we’re not creating chances. We’re creating plenty of chances, but it’s just that fine tweaking of our finishing and it going in.
“We’re frustrated, but it’s on us and we have to put it right. We’ve got a big chance to do that on Tuesday.”
Tuesday. Another game. Another opportunity to say the same thing all over again.
The same old excuses
The problem with losing so many games is that you end up hearing the same quotes from half the squad.
We deserved more. We were the better team. On another day. Fine margins.
It is a script. And Chelsea players have memorised it perfectly.
But at some point, the excuses have to stop. At some point, performances have to translate into points.
The bottom line
Chelsea have lost six of their last seven league games. That is not bad luck. That is a crisis.
Delap and his teammates can say they “didn’t deserve” to lose all they want. The league table does not care about deserve. It only cares about results.
Tuesday is another chance to put it right. Another chance to stop talking and start winning.
But if you have heard this all before, you are not alone. So have the fans. And their patience is wearing thin.
