Chelsea: Three lessons learned against Lyon for final moves and lineups
By George Perry
2. Midfield: Danny Drinkwater, Ruben Loftus-Cheek not leaving without a fight
One open spot remains in Chelsea’s midfield. Ross Barkley’s substitute appearance capped off his impressive preseason to make the strongest case to join Jorginho and N’Golo Kante. But Danny Drinkwater and Ruben Loftus-Cheek used their final preseason appearance to argue for staying in Blue this season.
Danny Drinkwater played the Jorginho role, staying very deep and starting the play from just in front of the centre-backs. He was surprisingly effective as the pace-setter, spotting and timing his passes calmly and crisply. Staying true to form, though, he still took the opportunity for low-probability long-range shots.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, on the other hand, was Chelsea’s dynamo at the top of the midfield. What few offensive opportunities the Blues had in the first half involved an explosive sprint from Loftus-Cheek. He looked like a man who either wanted to keep Mateo Kovacic at Real Madrid, or who wanted to ensure a starting role at Crystal Palace, if that is his destination.
Both the Chelsea and the Premier League websites indicated this week Loftus-Cheek will spend another season on loan at Selhurst Park. In a way, that could be the best for him because it is a near-guarantee of 35+ starts. But if he is willing to stay at Stamford Bridge and battle Ross Barkley every week for the starting spot, he appears hungry and able.
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Drinkwater started the summer as a certain sale, with West Ham leading the suitors. Those rumours have dropped off. Whether this is due to a lack of interested buyers or a change of heart from Chelsea is unclear. Drinkwater is not a contender for the third midfield spot the way Loftus-Cheek is, unless Sarri drastically changes his conception of the role. Drinkwater looked his best in the Jorginho role. But Jorginho will only vacate that spot for the domestic cups.
Drinkwater will not be satisfied with so few appearances. He has to recognize the near impossibility of having 30+ appearances this season at Chelsea. He and the Blues should still push for either a loan or transfer in the remaining hours of the transfer window. His performance against Lyon may generate a final surge of interest, or at least raise his value a bit more on the market.