Nobody expected Frank Lampard to completely change Chelsea's fortunes immediately. The interim boss found out the hard way just how much needs to change on the pitch.
A really poor Chelsea were deservedly beaten 1-0 at the hands of Wolves on Saturday afternoon. The Blues failed to fashion any really big opportunities at Molineux and the hosts made them pay in the first-half with Matheus Nunes' wonder strike being the only goal of the match.
Chelsea had 13 shots throughout the 90 minutes but only one of them tested Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa. They had plenty of chances to eventually create a clear-cut opportunity but the middle bit to create an attempt on goal was missing. Their attacking play, overall, was simply too slow and predictable.
READ MORE: Every word Frank Lampard said on Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante injury, Chelsea aggression and Wolves
"I think it was a performance if I really analyse it and you want to win a Premier League game, I think you have to have more aggression in your game," a downbeat Lampard told reporters at Molineux. "More speed, more competitive duels that go your way rather than the opposition."
Lampard was very keen to express his disappointment with the players' lack of aggression. While he didn't go in too hard on the squad, understandably so given he's been interim head coach for a matter of days, he had a clear vision in his mind of what needs improving in future games.
It's not something that's new for Chelsea either and this group of players. In fact, former head coach Thomas Tuchel repeatedly blamed a lack of aggression for some sub-par performances. The German, who is now the manager of Bayern Munich, actually referenced the issue in his last-ever game as Chelsea boss, a 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the group stage of this season's Champions League.
"I'm angry with myself and I'm angry with our performance," Tuchel said after the defeat in Zagreb. "This is a huge underperformance from all of us. It's not precise enough, it's not clinical enough, it's not aggressive enough."
It wasn't really something Graham Potter ever eluded to but different managers see different things. Lampard is right; Chelsea were not aggressive enough on Saturday. Kalidou Koulibaly at times was bullied by Matheus Cunha, even though they are similar sizes. The Wolves midfield dominated Chelsea's players in the middle of the field. It was too slow and not aggressive enough.
Lampard has a huge task on his hands now to find a way of lifting the mood inside the camp again before Wednesday evening's Champions League clash with Real Madrid. It's the first of two legs and to say both matches are season-defining would be an understatement.
When asked if him or his players are worried about get the aggression back for the match in the week, Lampard replied: "If you're worried, don't come. The players shouldn't be. It's a carrot for them when they sign for Chelsea.
"Every player in that squad whether it's Mateo Kovacic who has won two Champions Leagues and played in World Cup semis, finals, you deserve to play for Chelsea or if you're Mudryk and you come here, you've had your pathway to get here. You're here for a reason.
"To expect everything to come together as a squad is maybe not the case. I'm not saying the squad doesn't have aggression, it's just bringing it together. Sometimes a bit of confidence, a lack of confidence can look like aggression to the eye.
"As a team we were up against a team that were very aggressive today and maybe some second balls and duels and things like that we weren't quite at. I don't mind saying because it has to be said to be a reality to be dealt with.
"Wednesday will be a completely different game but those things are always still there in some form or another. We've got a few days to recover, prepare and go again."
READ NEXT:
Chelsea release statement following homophobic chants in defeat to Wolves
Chelsea player ratings as Kai Havertz flounders and Raheem Sterling struggles in dire Wolves loss
Frank Lampard sends Chelsea players scathing warning after 'lack of aggression' against Wolves
Frank Lampard issues huge Chelsea injury update for Real Madrid Champions League clash
Chelsea fans all say the same thing after 'horrible' foul on Joao Felix not given red card
