Chelsea overcame a resolutely strong defence / parked bus (depending on your perspective) to defeat Newcastle. Here are four lessons learnt in the win.
Chelsea took another step in the right direction with a win against Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle in a game that set a lot of records for things that only marginally matter. Most clubs will not let Chelsea approach quadruple digits in passing, so here are a few things the Blues should take home from St. James’ Park.
1. Eden Hazard still needs time to adapt to the system
Despite having a slight advantage in possession – 81% to 19% – Chelsea struggled to create many chances worthy of the name. Of that 81%, it seemed as though Eden Hazard accounted for at least 25% on his own.
Having played the full 90 for the first time this season, it’s clear he is still lagging a bit behind the players who have been working under Maurizio Sarri from the get-go. His propensity to float into the middle of the field seemed to cause a traffic jam in the passing moves, and often attracted the entirety of Newcastle’s 9-man backline to the most important part of the field: right around the top of the box.
It wouldn’t be terribly surprising to see Hazard take up the center-forward role at some point this season if Alvaro Morata continues to struggle. But for now it seems important for Hazard to stay out near the touchline.
As Sarri’s system becomes second nature to the players, Hazard might be a given a bit more license to go find the game. Against Newcastle, though, it looked like he was trying a bit too hard.
2. Marcos Alonso is undroppable
At least on social media, Marcos Alonso seems to have become the most divisive name on the teamsheet this season. Most of the consternation seems to stem from the idea he is not suited to play as a traditional left back, having spent the last two seasons as an aggressively offensive wingback under Antonio Conte.
So far, the Spaniard has responded with the winning goal against Arsenal, the winning (own) goal against Newcastle and two penalties won. While his defensive acumen is still yet to be truly tested in his new role, having Alonso as an additional attacking threat is an absolute necessity for breaking down well-organized defensive sides like the one Chelsea faced Sunday.
Unless he gets horrifically exposed against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, Alonso is the perfect left back for Chelsea’s new style of play.