Three lessons for Chelsea on tactics, players from England’s win in Spain
By George Perry
3. Ross Barkley can provide creative options on offence
Ross Barkley set in motion England’s third goal, chipping a deft pass over the Spanish defenders to Harry Kane at one post, who then rolled the ball to the other post for an easy Raheem Sterling tap-in. The pass was not quite Fabregas-esque, but it was reminiscent of Fabregas’ assist to Andre Schurrle against Burnley in 2014/15.
Barkley had several other passes throughout the game that showed much more creativity and touch than he is usually given credit for. Most of his role and expectations at Chelsea focus on his dribbling and shooting. He carves vertical lanes for himself up the centre of the pitch, draws players to him and then lays it off to a teammate. He is also a source of powerful long-range shots, as opposed to the curling, well-placed long-range shots of Pedro or Willian.
If Barkley can replicate his England passes for Chelsea he will give himself a massive advantage over Mateo Kovacic. Spain were very much on the back foot when Barkley made his pass to Kane, and his pass cut out both lines of Spanish defenders to put England in the perfect position. He gave England a way of opening up Spain when both teams were settled into their lines, whereas most of England’s other chances came on transitions.
Chelsea currently lack this ability to send one pass through a compact defence to create an immediate scoring chance. For much of the season they have needed Cesc Fabregas to spot the channels, lanes and runs and put the ball through to a forward. However, Fabregas has been injured and none of Chelsea’s midfielders have anything close to his ability in those situations. Jorginho can set the tempo and is stronger at one-touch passes than Fabregas, but he does not have the ability to instantly unlock a defence.
Obviously, the half if Chelsea needs the forwards to get behind the defence and latch onto the pass. Neither Fabregas nor Barkley will do any good if Alvaro Morata, Olivier Giroud or one of the wingers does not time the run to receive the ball behind the defenders.
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The forwards will need to develop and execute this skill sooner or later. When they do, Ross Barkley could be an option to provide those passes. He is already ahead of Cesc Fabregas in the depth chart, and Fabregas may leave in January. This ability could be Barkley’s key to holding off Mateo Kovacic in the battle for third midfielder.