Willian v Juan Cuadrado – Andre Carlisle
Quietly, this battle has been bubbling toward full bore. When Juan Cuadrado arrived back at Cobham after his loan to a Juventus that won nearly everything it played for, he was slightly perturbed. You can’t blame him, Chelsea discarded him as not good enough and he went on to star at a club that has out-trophied Chelsea 2-0. It was assumed by some that Chelsea would have to make his stay in Turin permanent.
But Antonio Conte, apparently a long admirer of the Colombian, has swiftly blocked any such move. Though Cuadrado has been trotting on for Willian as a sub, there’s a chance the reverse may become the new normal.
Against Real Madrid the whole team was sluggish. Willian didn’t commit a foul, win a free kick, or have a shot until the 38th minute when he blasted wide right. At halftime Conte pulled Oscar, the lost Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Willian, calling on Cuadrado to replace the latter.
Within six minutes of coming on Cuadrado had a go at goal. Before Real brought on their Teenage Mutant Madridistas in the 64th minute, Juan drew two free-kicks in the attacking half.
Displaying a work-rate equal to that of the Brazilian while adding drive and decisiveness going forward, it wouldn’t be surprising if Conte has already had his admirations of the Colombian validated. Keep an eye on the starting eleven, if Cuadrado isn’t on it yet he isn’t far away.
Next: Urgency required