Glenn Hoddle accused Chelsea of lacking leaders after they suffered a second-half collapse on the way to booking their place in the Europa League semi-finals.
Maurizio Sarri's side beat Slavia Prague 5-3 on aggregate after a 4-3 win in Thursday's second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Having raced into 4-1 half-time lead, Chelsea made hard work of it in the second half as Slavia Prague capitalised on some lax defending to haul themselves back into the game.
It's not the first time Chelsea have struggled after the break this season and following the game, former Chelsea boss Hoddle lamented their latest second-half slump, as well as their failure to replace the leadership of John Terry.
'They can't get 90 minutes' consistency, you can't dictate 90 minutes anyway but they do switch off, almost as if, "We're too good for this team, I don't need to get on the cover",' he told BT Sport.
'It's complacency a little bit and they need a leader out there that's not going to let that happen. John Terry, in that team tonight, that wouldn't have happened second half.
'They haven't got many leaders there that can identify and put it right and say, "Let's put it right". You could smell it happening, your opponents are getting more of the ball, throwing people forward, you need to nullify that and someone needs to identify that.'
Hoddle, meanwhile, suggested Chelsea's players are guilty of passing the buck and relying on others to clear up their mess.
He added: 'Everyone just left it to one another – “Someone else will do it today, I won’t bother to get on the cover early because we’re 4-1 up”.'
'No I’m sorry at this level or any level of professional football, bang bang, you lose two goals and then you’re on the knife edge.'
Zihnostuyz
1
Surprising second half goals.
Rapaelmory
0
that's right....I concur to this
Hudsonodoi4gold
0
Their only savior is that they make use of their chances on first half if no something else may have happened. Mr sarri try and build your defense.
Jidlmoprsu
0
Honestly the team has been lacking a true leader since JT left. Azpi isn't a leader neither is Luis. Ruidiger even looks a better captain that Luis and Azpi. I have seen him scream at other for loose defending. Never have I seen Azpi doing that. This Chelsea team really lacks a true captain and leader on the pitch.
Vaykmtuz
1
we don't have a captain... give Luis the captain band an see leadership.... Cesar is romancing the players...he is afraid to talk to Willian,Pedro and hazard...
Mabaeknsy
1
Honestly, Azplicueta Is not a captain material. Hazard deserves the armband more than him.Hazard proves it by taking responsibilities, demanding balls, giving his honest opinion on who is to be blamed and gives direct instructions on the changes in tactics and formations.
The captain is the bridge btw d players n d coach. As a captain u give instructions to ur players wen things are wrong, u step in to challenge d players to b better. That's wat made John Terry a better captain. Chelsea don't ave a captain.
fipcluz
0
on the head, it's been the problem for a while now. bunch of ungrateful snowflakes
VanishPrasad
1
Who ever told you that? Define a good captain or leader. A captain acknowledges that the team played badly not take blame for them playing badly. So if they win does he take credit too?
then why were the fans angry on him for his lack of explanation between Kepa and Sari. This has happened with so many teams
Pimp1926
1
you don't know anything about captaincy, it's taking blames of your team
Who ever told you that? Define a good captain or leader. A captain acknowledges that the team played badly not take blame for them playing badly. So if they win does he take credit too?
VanishPrasad
1
Why would he take the blame for miscommunication between coach n keeper?
you don't know anything about captaincy, it's taking blames of your team
Pimp1926
1
Azplicueta can't even take the blames and kept quite on Kepa incident, this led to many Chelsea fans to abuse him and they told to remove him from captaincy
Why would he take the blame for miscommunication between coach n keeper?
VanishPrasad
1
What makes a good leader, or captain? Because hazard always demands the ball or plays the best every game?
Azplicueta can't even take the blames and kept quite on Kepa incident, this led to many Chelsea fans to abuse him and they told to remove him from captaincy
Pimp1926
1
Honestly, Azplicueta Is not a captain material. Hazard deserves the armband more than him.Hazard proves it by taking responsibilities, demanding balls, giving his honest opinion on who is to be blamed and gives direct instructions on the changes in tactics and formations.
What makes a good leader, or captain? Because hazard always demands the ball or plays the best every game?
VanishPrasad
4
Honestly, Azplicueta Is not a captain material. Hazard deserves the armband more than him.Hazard proves it by taking responsibilities, demanding balls, giving his honest opinion on who is to be blamed and gives direct instructions on the changes in tactics and formations.