Sergio Aguero ignominiously exited Chelsea’s away fixture against Manchester City in October. The Blues should task Nathaniel Chalobah with rattling the Argentinian, even if Chalobah never takes the pitch.
Nathaniel Chalobah taught Sergio Aguero – and the rest of the Premier League – an important lesson about Chelsea’s team cohesion at the Etihad in October. After Aguero nearly ended David Luiz’s season with a “tackle” into Luiz’s knee, Chalobah immediately came over to put Aguero flat on the ground. Chalobah received a yellow card as Aguero saw red, and the Blues left 3-1 winners.
Luiz has needed most of the season to rehab his knee to full fitness. As recently as January he still had heavy strapping around his leg. His heavy workload delayed the restoration of his mobility and agility until quite recently.
Luiz may take an opportunity to return the favour towards Aguero this evening. Few would fault Luiz for putting some extra emphasis into his tackles against Aguero. Hopefully Luiz will not combine the dual perils of retribution and pulling a Luiz. Chelsea could keep Aguero on edge more subtly and more safely through Luiz’s avenger, Nathaniel Chalobah.
"Have Chalobah warming up the whole game. Have him doing rounds around the pitch, just staring at Aguero so that Aguero is completely nullified because he’s too scared to do anything. That’s an effective tactic. – Daniel Mcclue, The Blue Lions"
Nathaniel Chalobah has only a slight chance of coming on as a substitute. If Chelsea have a solid lead at the 70th minute, Antonio Conte could replace Cesc Fabregas with Chalobah to see out the game. Conte may be extra reluctant to bring on a young player – even a trusted young player – given the changes he already has to make in Victor Moses’ absence.
Nathaniel Chalobah has demonstrated his ability to play in clutch situations. However, Conte’s risk aversion and the necessity of a win mitigate against such a substitute. Even so, Chalobah’s commanding presence on the sidelines could rattle Sergio Aguero with foreboding of what may come.
Next: Chelsea's right side will be dangerously vulnerable without Victor Moses
With Victor Moses out of the line-up, the Blues must play every card to interfere with City’s attack. Nathaniel Chalobah should keep his boots and his game-face on, even if he never crosses the touchline.