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Chelsea key clashes vs. Watford: Blues’ ability to defend strong striker

By Gabe Henderson

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 01: Declan Rice of West Ham United and Christian Pulisic of Chelsea battle for the ball during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea FC at London Stadium on July 01, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 01: Declan Rice of West Ham United and Christian Pulisic of Chelsea battle for the ball during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea FC at London Stadium on July 01, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 01: Declan Rice of West Ham United and Christian Pulisic of Chelsea battle for the ball during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea FC at London Stadium on July 01, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 01: Declan Rice of West Ham United and Christian Pulisic of Chelsea battle for the ball during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea FC at London Stadium on July 01, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Following a brutal loss to West Ham, Chelsea faces another relegation-battling side in Watford. Here are some key clashes to keep an eye on.

Although Chelsea lost mid-week to West Ham, the Premier League isn’t going to slow down as everyone pities the Blues. The schedule is relentless, unforgiving and flat-out cruel. Therefore, the Chelsea players need to pick their heads up, dust themselves off and ready for another scrap. This time, local rivals Watford take a short drive down to west London and look to become the second relegation-fighting squad to swindle points from the Blues in a matter of days. Here are some key clashes the Blues must win to prevent that from happening:

1. Christian Pulisic vs. Ben Foster

Christian Pulisic has come out of the gates firing on all cylinders. The young American has gone from one of Chelsea’s most promising players to one of the team’s best in a matter of matches. The 21-year-old battled an injury for much of the season and upon his return, was straddling the fine line between super-sub and starter. The minute he put a ball into the back of the net against Aston Villa to ignite the Blues’ comeback, he drew his own line in the stand and challenged Frank Lampard to leave him out of the XI again. Pulisic has started every match since.

The Chelsea phenom has been the side’s Man of the Match over the last three or four matches and it’s easy to see why. He’s been a chance creator and goalscoring threat from all over the pitch. He’s carried the team so heavily that he’s drawing Eden Hazard comparisons. A bit extreme? Possibly. Too far-fetched? Not at all.

Pulisic has been a problem for every opposing goalkeeper, the narrative won’t change against Watford. Ben Foster is a talented keeper, much like Kasper Schmeichel—who kept Pulisic off the scoresheet against Leicester—with his length and reflexes. The American came within inches of netting an incredible goal against West Ham; he also scored against Manchester City and Aston Villa. Even when he isn’t rattling the net, the 21-year-old provides a playmaking spark, most recently against the Hammers. He won both the penalty and free kick in which Willian scored in that match.

Pulisic is vital to Chelsea’s success at this point. If Watford wants any chance of getting a result against the Blues, it’s going to have to keep the American off the scoresheet.

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