Chelsea still worth backing despite recent results
Chelsea are struggling at the moment but could still be worth backing for one of the two big trophies this season.
The Blues’ recent results means they are not among the favourites for the Premier League title, but that means the odds on offer could be overly generous to punters.
An odds calculator is a good way of assessing a potential return – and there’s no doubt that anyone willing to back Chelsea at this stage is in for a decent payout if Frank Lampard can turn things around.
An odds calculator allows you to simulate your potential earnings depending on the odds, the stake and the type of bet you place. You simply enter the details and the bet calculator will show your potential winnings and profit. All bet types and odd formats are available.
Can Chelsea bounce back?
While odds on the likes of Manchester United and even Leicester are narrowing, Chelsea’s are widening – but they still represent decent value.
Lampard is under pressure after a miserable period sent his side tumbling to eighth in the table.
The loss at Leicester was their fifth defeat in their past eight matches and there have been reports that Lampard could be close to losing his job as manager at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard himself remains defiant. Speaking after the Leicester game, he made it clear he can handle the pressure and believes he can turn things around.
“We just have to fight. I’m not the only manager to be put under this sort of pressure,” he said.
“The lucky thing for me is that I’m good at handling pressure. I could sense that these periods would come.
“That’s all I have to concern myself with – how to deal with this and get us out of it.”
Lampard’s optimism is not without reason. Prior to their recent slump, Chelsea were in fine form and very much looked like genuine title contenders. It may well be that the current spell turns out to be nothing more than a blip.
Patience needed
The manager also has a point when he continually argues that his summer signings need more time. The likes of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz have struggled, while Hakim Ziyech has impressed when fit but has been hampered by injury problems.
Once those players find their feet – and there’s no doubt they have proven quality – it seems likely that Chelsea will grow stronger during the second half of the season.
That might also make them strong contenders for the Champions League. They were impressive during the group stage and could well be worth backing to lift the trophy, just as they did in 2012 after a similarly troubled season.
New manager bounce?
And if Lampard is replaced, that too could lead to Chelsea coming on strong in the second half of the campaign and making a mockery of the current odds.
The so-called ‘new manager bounce’ is often evident and a change at the helm could lead to Chelsea’s under-performing players finding their best form.
Former Paris St-Germain boss Thoms Tuchel has been touted as a possible replacement and certainly has experience of dealing with big-name players.
Lampard should be able to steady the ship and get the best out of this talented Chelsea squad this season. But if he doesn’t, someone else surely will.
