Chelsea recorded a much needed win after two back-to-back unconvincing performances in different competitions. James Ward-Prowse’s second half penalty cancelled out Trevoh Chalobah’s early opener. But the Saints skipper was then sent off after a late lunge on Jorginho, a VAR decision that proved to be a turning point. Timo Werner put Chelsea ahead and then Ben Chilwell added a third, to end a tough week for the Blues on a high.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek shines for Chelsea
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was one of the shining lights for Chelsea. The midfielder played 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup meeting with Aston Villa, and followed it with impressive cameos in defeats to Man City and Juventus. Those impressive cameos earned him a surprise start today and he made the most of it. He controlled the midfield and showed a will to carry the ball forward from deep.
For all their midfield talent, Chelsea lack a midfielder who can pick the ball up deep in his own half and drive at the opposition. Mateo Kovačić can dribble past a couple of men before releasing it, Mason Mount too can get past players, but he is in an advanced position. What a player like Loftus-Cheek can do is smoothen the transition from defense to attack. Attackers can then make runs and he has the ability to pick them out as well.
Of course the fact that N’Golo Kanté is injured and Saúl Ñíguez struggling to adapt have given Loftus-Cheek this opportunity. But he has capitalized on this opportunity and has jumped up the pecking order in Chelsea’s midfield.
Ross Barkley catches the eye too
Few eyes were raised when, for all the attacking talent they have at their disposal, Ross Barkley was introduced in Turin, in search of an equalizer. It seemed for all the world that Barkley was going to leave the club. When that didn’t happen, no one expected him to be anywhere near the first team. But he was once again called upon by Thomas Tuchel, in search of a goal. The former Everton man showed his class with a perfect ball to Cesar Azpilicueta, that led to Timo Werner’s goal.
Barkley has been included by Tuchel in Chelsea’s Champions League squad, so may be the manager saw this coming. He is a player who, like Loftus-Cheek, can really take it to the opposition. He can strike the ball well from distance too. The only thing that lets him down is his inconsistency. Barkley fails to perform to the levels he can regularly.
A decision for Tuchel to make
If Thomas Tuchel can get those two midfielders firing on all cylinders, he will have a much welcome selection headache. Given they were the fringiest of all fringe players in the squad, their returns will have the affect of new signings. They are showing that they aren’t just squad players who can fill in for injuries/suspensions, but players who can be relied upon.
I’m not saying they should be just thrown into the first team straight away. Tuchel has a solid team which has delivered him success and breaking into it with just one or two good performances isn’t fair. They need to show some consistency for Tuchel to consider. However, they have shown that they are worth consideration, and not worth relegating to the status of fringe players.
Signing Romelu Lukaku of course was crucial to solve the goal scoring issue. But reinvigorating the likes of Loftus-Cheek and Barkley could be an unseen masterstroke that gives Tuchel the edge.