Chelsea conclude their Europa League group stage at MOL Vidi. The game has no practical bearing on the Blues, but their performance will say a lot about this team.
The final matchweek of the Champions League group stages provided some stark and – for those not involved – hilarious lessons in knowing what you have to lose and gain. Thibaut Courtois led Real Madrid in cutting their goal differential advantage over AS Roma in half by shipping three goals to CSKA Moscow. Had Roma managed a 3-0 win, they could have topped the group. Instead they fell 2-1 to Viktoria Plzen. In Valencia, Michy Batshuayi set the stage for Phil Jones’ Own Goal of the Season contender. As a result, Manchester United missed the opportunity to top Juventus, who lost to Young Boys 2-1.
Chelsea carry no such risks into their truly dead rubber match against MOL Vidi. The Blues and Manchester City are the only English teams to secure the top of their group before the final match.
Even the Chelsea players do not have much riding on this game. At this point in the season, it is quite clear that no performance good or bad will shift Maurizio Sarri’s thinking on a player’s place in the club. Maurizio Sarri effectively slammed the door on Gary Cahill’s Chelsea career at the pre-match press conference. The message to the entire squad from those comments was “If you’re in, you’re in. If not, get out, ’cause you’re not getting in.”
Not that a game against MOL Vidi is indicative of anything, but the players at far end of the squad could have the performance of their lives and would remain at the far end of the squad. George McEachran could make his first-team debut in the 75′ and promptly score a hat trick, and he would still be lucky to finish the season with substitute minutes from the early rounds of the FA Cup on his player profile.
The most the Blues can hope to accomplish against MOL Vidi is send a series of messages. By giving 90 minutes of intensity and a desire to win, they will show they have the mentality closer to what Pep Guardiola has instilled at Manchester City than whatever Jose Mourinho has going on at Manchester United. Guardiola tolerates no dip in competitive hunger under any circumstances. Sarri can show he is of the same cloth with the team’s performance and his reaction to it on Thursday.
Sarri’s side can also show that – despite relying so heavily on his favoured XIV – Chelsea have functional depth.
Opponents in four competitions may be hoping Sarri’s lack of rotation early in the season will catch up with him late in the season, and they can nick points or cup ties from a weakened Chelsea squad. While the depth players will never be as sharp and proficient as the best XIV, if they can look like a proper Chelsea team against MOL Vidi it will give the Blues the edge in confidence and resilience if injuries set in.
The Chelsea players from outside the best XI who take the pitch in Hungary can also send the message that they can see beyond this season and perhaps beyond Maurizio Sarri in terms of their career. Some of the younger ones can use this game to fight for their place in future – perhaps medium- to long-term future – Chelsea sides.
For the mid-career and older players, this game can be a message to potential loan or transfer destinations next month. Cesc Fabregas, Alvaro Morata, Andreas Christensen and Davide Zappacosta have all been linked with moves away. This game could be their last best chance to show their current form and motivation levels for the January window.
Unlike Chelsea, MOL Vidi have much at stake. A result would not only be a famous night in club history, but would give them a chance to advance to the Europa League Round of 32, pending the outcome of BATE Borisov’s tie at PAOK. The hosts will not let Chelsea roll over them, particularly if Chelsea think they can saunter through this match.
MOL Vidi will keep the game honest even if Chelsea do not. The Blues may have nothing to lose or gain, but they should be aware that everyone is watching and listening just the same.