Chelsea were on the end of a damning defeat to Manchester City at the weekend, however Micah Richards has actually claimed that he felt sorry for the Blues.
Liam Rosenior copped more stick from fans and pundits alike after his side capitulated after half-time on Sunday, conceding three goals in quick succession.
Rosenior cut a frustrated figure just minutes into the game, and is now looking further up at a top five place and spot in next season’s Champions League.
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Micah Richards ‘felt sorry’ for Chelsea during defeat to Man City
Despite the obvious gulf in class in the end, former City defender Richards believes Chelsea came with a plan that was working, until the players let the boss down in key moments.
He told ‘The Rest is Football’: “I felt a little bit sorry for Chelsea because they had a plan. It looked like the plan was working. The game opened up a little bit and then, in games, it’s all about moments, isn’t it?
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“And Chelsea don’t defend in the key moment and then don’t score when they’re on top. And then Manchester City, we’re always going to take the opportunity once it comes, because they just have quality players and players who have to win, you know what I mean?”
Chelsea were arguably the better side in the first half, and could have taken the lead if Marc Cucurella had stayed onside when he beat Gianluigi Donnarumma.
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Pep Guardiola admitted after the game that City targeted Chelsea’s left-hand-side, with goalscorer Jeremy Doku getting plenty of the ball.
Malo Gusto stood firm, but it was clear that City fancied their chances as the Blues missed one of their most important players for the huge game.
Reece James was not fit enough to return to the matchday squad, and his importance in both attack and defence has been a real miss in recent weeks.
There was initial hope that James would be fit to face Manchester United next week, although there may be an appetite to protect him further with a starting place at the World Cup looming.
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