What we have seen lately from Chelsea’s young team is signs of improved mentality and character.
The way they all collectively celebrated the winning goal against Manchester United on Friday night, knowing just how huge of a goal it was, was great to see and also very reassuring.
As a team that is young and still raw and maturing, we have not always seen this character and mentality throughout the season and it’s been very inconsistent. Even when the chips have been down recently, honing in on being 1-0 down against Newcastle at half time, the personality they showed to come out in the second half and actually show up is admirable even though we lost the game 2-0 in the end.
We haven’t always seen that and in fact, it’s only something I have noticed more of recently. We have often seen heads drop and players not standing tall and standing up to be counted when things are going bad.
But now is the time to show that consistency in character and mentality, because Sunday is your chance to secure playing Champions League football next season, which is what every play wants, right? Well, if you want it that badly, go out onto that pitch on Sunday and prove it. It’s your time.
That should be all the motivation you need to turn up against Forest on Sunday and not just for half of the game, for the entire 90+ minutes. You need to win your individual battles, win your duels, fight for every tackle and get to the second ball. You need to sprint, run all afternoon, and have the confidence to do something extra or take a shot on. That is how we win this game.
Forest are going to be fully up for it, the crowd will be as well and they will be behind them. They will be physical. And instead of showing a timid reaction to all of that like you did in the first half of the Newcastle game, you need to show inner and outer strength and be completely motivated. Just watch how Moises Caicedo approaches the game and plays during it to see the best example of this.
If you do that, we win. It’s that simple to me.
And if Champions League football isn’t a big enough motivation for you, then take a look at the comments made by Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville this week and use that as your motivation. Prove those fools wrong!
Jamie Carragher said: “I think Chelsea and Nottingham Forest might both miss out. I can see that being a draw at the weekend.
“I’m not sure Chelsea have got the character and personality to go there and win.”
And Gary Neville said:”They [Nottingham Forest] will give Chelsea a tough day, 100%. I’m not sure Chelsea can go there and win, I’ll be really honest with you.
“I think if Aston Villa win, they’ll get into the Champions League because I think Forest will take points off Chelsea.”
Prove them wrong, lads. Show them that you DO have that character and mentality when it matters the most. Turn up for the 90 and leave it all out on that pitch!
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