03 May 2023 , 09:13
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Cesar Azpilicueta appeared to take a swipe at Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly by confessing "off the pitch we have a lot of things to work on."
The Blues defender was speaking after their sixth defeat on the bounce as Arsenal took them apart in the first-half at the Emirates. Chelsea have endured a season to forget having changed owners in the summer with a mid-table finish all but certain.
Over £600m has been spent on the playing group, which has also seen the British transfer record broken, but that has not resulted in success on the pitch with Boehly sacking two managers within months of taking charge at Stamford Bridge amid mounting criticism.
The American has enjoyed success in his homeland with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but has been unable to get to grips with the footballing landscape as Azpilicueta seemed to challenge the hierarchy.
He said on Sky Sports: "It's the worst run since I've been at the club. We're the ones playing on the pitch and we have to turn this around. It's hard for everybody and we have to come through these moments. Off the pitch we have a lot of things to work on.
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"The first half we were quite passive. We know they are a dangerous team and will bring a lot of people forward but we should've done better with the ball. In the second half we showed a bit of a reaction, in the first half we were far from there. It's tough for everybody, we're not in a good position.
Chelsea's poor run of form continued at Arsenal"The reality is what we have now. We have to go through it. We are all disappointed, the fans at the club. We have to take responsibility and that's the only way. It's very hard, we didn't expect to be here but that's where we are. We have five games left, we have to show positive energy and win games."
Frank Lampard is yet to avoid defeat during his time as interim boss, coming unstuck against the likes of Real Madrid, Wolves and Brighton. Boehly and those at the top of the club remain on the hunt for another permanent boss with Mauricio Pochettino thought to be the frontrunner.
Chelsea, with the exception of the 2015/16 season, have always been in and amongst the top four such with silverware regularly being won. Despite their disastrous campaign though Cesc Fabregas, who was part of the team who finished tenth, has been keen to remind people that they won the title the following year and is adamant that the Blues can turn things around quickly.