The victory in the Champions League against Nordsjaelland was a bittersweet one. Rafael Benitez got his first win as Chelsea manager while Fernando Torres scored a brace. But the reigning Champions of Europe were knocked out of the tournament due to other results not going our way. As always, there were plenty of points to take away from the match :-
1) Hazard is unstoppable when on song
2) When we play with XI men, winning is easy
3) Moses is more than just an impact player
4) Romeu deserves more game time
1) The Belgian has been under fire for not contributing to Chelsea's play as much as he did earlier in the season, some even suggesting that Chelsea's slump is mostly down to him. While it's true that Hazard did suffer a dip in form, no one else had been performing well either. However, his performance against Nordsjaelland was an excellent one (the horrible penalty aside). He ran rings around defenders and no one knew how to deal with him. Hopefully Hazard continues to be as influential in the coming matches.
2) Ah, my not-so-subtle dig at Fernando Torres (in case you didn't figure it out). The Spaniard has been guilty of going AWOL in Chelsea's last few matches, but he put in a decent shift last night. His link-up play and passing was good and he also managed to get on the score-sheet twice. Not only that, he worked hard when not in possession of the ball and looked to run in behind defenders. He even seemed more eager to shoot as stats show that he shot 9 times during the match. More of the same please, Fernando.
3) Many people (including me) questioned Benitez's decision to include Victor Moses in the starting XI at the expense of Oscar, given the Brazilian's form in the Champions League. By the end of the match, Moses made us eat our words. He looked a constant threat down the wings and some of his link-up play with Mata and Hazard was the stuff of dreams. He even set up Torres' first goal. Despite being used mostly as an impact player in the beginning of the season, it's clear that he can be a regular fixture in Chelsea's starting XI.
4) Oriol Romeu hasn't been in the best of form this season. Most of his performances have been average and people were surprised that he started the match at the expense of Jon Obi Mikel, but Romeu put in a solid display. Admittedly there weren't too many attacks put together by Nordsjaelland (especially in the 2nd half) but Romeu didn't seem nervous and it seemed clear that his poor form can be put down, to a certain extent, to a lack of game time. He needs to start a few matches now, preferably against weaker teams.
Other notable talking points:
5) Luiz can certainly take a penalty
6) Cahill loves scoring goals
7) We went out of the Champions League with our heads held high.
Shayne Dias
TweetFollow @CFC360Official
One thing that I learned was that the head to head rule is bullshit. I said it alot on this site that Torres needs service through in and behind the defense. That's happening now. Look the pass from Moses the goal and a pass from Oscar which Torres unfortunately couldn't convert over the keeper. More of that and Torres will score you goals.
ReplyDeleteSuch feelings. I hope we all now understand why RDM was sacked and stop whining and disturbing RB. I don't think we need any serious outlay on strikers in January if Torres gets fixed and start chipping some goals. Credit must go to the chelsea mgt and Mr Abramovich for quick solutions. Where are we going to get the money to subsidise Falcao who is Europa league tied or Cavani or Schurrle or Suarez. The best decision was always to get someone who could manage Torres for the season.
ReplyDeleteno digas tonterias , el rival de hoy ya estaba acabado torres merece irse ya tubo demasiadas oportunidades ,esos goles los hubiera hecho antes ahorita ya no sirven de nada
DeleteNah dude another striker is compulsary. We are too thin upfront and Lukaku will probably stay and WBA beyond this season to further his development in the league. Don't get too excited by Torres' two goals just yet but what you can be excited about is the improved service he gets.
DeleteIf you insist on another striker or any player for now, then calling back our on loan players is the most viable.
DeleteI agree but only one of the midfielders. De Bruyne or Josh. Apart from Lukaku,we need one more striker.
DeleteBRAVOO BLUESS,BUT WANNA ASK SOMEBODY A QESTION,DID WE MISS THE ABSENCE OF OBI? SEE HW THE BUILD UP PLAY WAS STARTING 4ROM THE MID-FIELD AND WAS MAVOLOUS WHEN LIUZ WAS PLAYING THE MIDFIELD.SOMETIMES MIKEL STOPS WEN SPEEDING UP YET WE GIVE HIM 5YRS LEAVING OUR LEGENDS(COLE AND LAMPARD) WITH NONE, ME I THINK SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS.
ReplyDeleteWe need another striker in january. from: Norway, Martin.
ReplyDeleteEven if we get another striker in january, I don't really think he would be a high profile striker maybe Taison, Demba, Huntlaar or Bony. Torres would remain the main man for now.
DeleteOfori shut that stinking mouth of urs.Just becos Chelsea played well doesnt mean that we dont need Mikel again!
ReplyDeleteI think we should maintain D Luiz in d Defensive Midfield Role. That Geezer is fab! #KTBFH
ReplyDeleteRomeu needs to start more, he'll be world class of we keep playing him. His passing is so much better than mikels. Our three creative players were getting the ball much faster from Romeu which really helped our offensive side of the game.
ReplyDeletethank God that u hv no sat down,watch the game nd analysed it very well, i decided not 2 reply u cos i knew u were going 2 analys it again as a good fan, i never said we did not need Mikel all i said was he delays our fast runs somtyms, LUIZ needs 2 play dat role nd infact mikel does not learn, so is either we buy good defensivemidfielder or LUIZ MAINTAINS that role.AND THAT IS IF WE WANT OUR TEAM 2 BE BETER THAN EVER.ROMEO CAN ALSO DO THE JOB IF PARED WITH LUIZ.
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