Chelsea: How long will Michy Batshuayi stay patient out of the XI?

This season has been an opportunity for many but some players do not like to wait. Will Michy Batshuayi stay patient at Chelsea through the window?

David Luiz was the first Chelsea player to show himself impatient. This season, more than any, there is actual competition for places. Some players may feel like their time will not come and they will seek to leave. Luiz was the first before the English window shut.

But the window remains open in many other parts of Europe. Players may wait and see when their chances will come for a bit, but at some point they will grow tired of waiting and angle for a move. The question currently is how long does Michy Batshuayi wait for a shot?

On some level, it is understandable if Batshuayi is tired of waiting. He waited and waited under Antonio Conte and nothing really happened. When it became clear that he would have to wait under Maurizio Sarri, he opted to leave on loan rather than stay. And though he seems willing to fight for his chance under Frank Lampard, the striker is still waiting to see if he will really be trusted.

So far, it appears as though Batshuayi is third choice compared to an aging Olivier Giroud and a young Tammy Abraham. It is understandable from Batshuayi’s point of view why Giroud may be ahead of him. But Abraham may be a harder pill to swallow and a step too far for Batshuayi to accept.

Lampard wants to keep all three strikers and Batshuayi does seem to want to stay but if Abraham continues to start over him with clubs interested, will he stay? Batshuayi has played for and scored in four out of the five big European leagues as Abraham was in the second division. It becomes a matter of understanding, desire, and ability (tactically and otherwise).

So far, Lampard appears to prefer Abraham’s all action style and rounded skillset. Giroud possess something similar but has less of the speed. Batshuayi, ultimately, is more of a poacher. Conte preferred Diego Costa’s all action style over Batshuayi’s poaching and it would not be hard to assume that Batshuayi is seeing a similar story playing out now.

Unfortunately, a mix of injury and a lack of playing time has taken away a lot of development years in Batshuayi’s young career. He could yet turn things around but he will know that the longer he waits for a chance, the more will slip from his grasp. As the end of the European window approaches, the less of a pathway he sees the more he may start to desire a move.

Batshuayi will need to show Lampard what Chelsea is missing when he plays. Lampard will need to show Batshuayi that if he is patient, there will be chances to play.

It is a delicate balancing act that will take place over the coming weeks with some of Europe’s teams looking for cracks in the foundation from either end.