Michy Batshuayi is not saying much about his future, other than the obvious that he needs to play more than he did last season at Chelsea. Next year’s World Cup looms large in the Belgian’s ambitions.
Michy Batshuayi enjoyed a fleeting moment as the talk of Chelsea after he scored the title-clinching goal against West Bromwich Albion. Since then, though, he has back to his usual spot midway down list of the club’s priorities. Romelu Lukaku’s impending transfer, Eden Hazard’s broken ankle and the tangled web of Diego Costa have all overshadowed Batshuayi’s future.
Batshuayi and Lukaku gave a glimpse of what they can do together in Belgium’s friendly against the Czech Republic on Monday. Lukaku set up Batshuayi for Belgium’s opening goal as the pair led the line of a 3-5-2 formation.
Whether the two Belgian strikers are teammates are Chelsea next season or not, Batshuayi knows that if he wants to hold that role for the 2018 World Cup he needs more playing minutes.
"Everyone knows that I have to play more, that I have to score goals. There’s a World Cup coming up next year. I want to be ready for the World Cup… Of course I wanted to play more. And of course I wanted to score more goals. That’s normal. All players want that. – The Telegraph"
Batshuayi did not comment on a transfer or a loan, other than to say that loan decisions were out of his hands. He said that he is “not going to ask anything” of Chelsea regarding his future.
Michy Batshuayi’s is taking the right path in not laying out demands or expectations from the club that has already marginalized him for one season. He has very little leverage, as wonderful as the goal against West Brom was and despite his impressive 48 minutes per goal. Any discontent or ego from of the preternaturally cheery striker will have him on the Dominic Solanke career path. A transfer may, ultimately, be the best result but he deserves a full chance at Chelsea.
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Even so, Batshuayi knows that next season is a key turning point in his career for club and country. The 2017/18 season will be a proving ground for national team managers building the World Cup squads. Any player who spends most of the season on the bench will have a difficult time making his country’s squad for Russia.
Michy Batshuayi is collateral damage in the Atletico Madrid / Diego Costa / Chelsea’s next striker debacle. If Chelsea are truly about to sign Romelu Lukaku and keep Diego Costa, Batshuayi is back to where he was last year. And then he will still have to compete with Bertrand Traore for the third-striker role.
Costa’s departure would be the best thing for Batshuayi (among others, others being Chelsea). Eden Hazard’s injury could also open the door for Batshuayi to have opportunities to prove himself as the second striker early in the season.
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Batshuayi would doubtless make way for Hazard upon the No. 10’s return. But simply having that chance could show Antonio Conte that Batshuayi is worth squad rotation and more than time-wasting substitutions.