Michy Batshuayi does not need to be in the starting XI to score goals nor become a Chelsea hero. He is Antonio Conte’s closer, bringing the heat in the final stages of the game.
Baseball has a special place for the closing pitcher. From Major League‘s Ricky Vaughn to the New York Yankees’ Mariano Rivera, these specialists enjoy a popularity and importance to the team that far outstrips the single inning they pitch per game. Fans count on them for one final blaze of excitement en route to victory.
Michy Batshuayi is becoming Chelsea’s closer. Wednesday’s game against Atletico Madrid mirrored the night of May 12 at West Bromwich Albion. In each game Batshuayi came on late and scored even later, giving Chelsea major wins that will be part of the club’s lore for years to come.
Batshuayi has scored seven goals in the Premier League and Champions League since arriving at Chelsea. All of those goals came in the second half. He scored twice in his rare starts: a 49th minute goal against Watford and a 76th minute goal against FK Qarabag. His other five goals came after the 80th minute, with three – two against Sunderland, and his winner against Atletico – coming in stoppage time.
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He now has two game-winning goals and one game-tying goal from his seven in the top two competitions. Three of his five goals as a substitute came within 11 minutes of his entrance.
Like any player, Michy Batshuayi wants to play as much as possible and as often as possible. However, he may be best suited for Antonio Conte’s tactics as the closer and not a starter. He could be more effective – scoring more goals and having a greater impact on the team’s success – coming off the bench in the last 20 minutes than he could if he played the opening 70 minutes.
"When there is the possibility to play it is right to give this type of answer and don’t forget he scored in the previous game against Qarabag and against Nottingham Forest he scored three. For a striker to score is always important for your confidence. I want this type of player with great ability to give me the possibility to make changes game by game. – Chelsea FC"
A player like Michy Batshuayi is a massive advantage for Chelsea and Antonio Conte. Like any impact sub, he is not a replacement for the starter. He brings a different package onto the pitch, unsettling the opposition and forcing their defenders to adapt under late-game fatigue and tension. He is not a finesse player like Alvaro Morata nor an aggressive bruiser like Diego Costa, nor does embarrass players with his footwork like Eden Hazard. He is Michy Batshuayi, the guy who knows just where to be six yards out when the ball needs to go in the net.
As his reputation for late goals grows, teams will be wary at his entrance. They may over-compensate for his presence, deviating too far from their original game-plan. This could open up space for the rest of the Blues or lead the opponent to self-induce a new vulnerability.
Antonio Conte likes having two-man depth at every position. Now that Eden Hazard is back to full fitness, Conte may view Hazard as Alvaro Morata’s back-up. That is not a slight to Michy Batshuayi in any sense. Batshuayi is Chelsea’s only closer among the forwards. When he comes on, Chelsea are ready to win with fireworks.
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Michy Batshuayi, you make our hearts sing.