Former Blues striker keeps Chelsea in the top four

Former Chelsea striker Dominic Solanke got a questionable start for Bournemouth versus Leicester City, but bagged a brace to positively impact the Blues.

You’ve heard of Double Agents David Luiz of Arsenal and Gary Cahill of Crystal Palace; the players sent out by Chelsea to sabotage or get results that help the Blues. After this weekend though, the most famous double agent in England at the moment may not be so well-known. Many associate the timeless James Bond—or 007—with England’s history of secrecy and charisma. However, it’s Special Agent Dominic Solanke that reigns supreme in west London for the remainder of the month.

Eddie Howe trusted Special Agent Solanke and gave him one simple task—score for the first time in 39 matches for Bournemouth. In one of the most important games for the year, the former Chelsea striker scored a brace to snatch three points from right under Leicester’s noses. The Cherries went on to win 4-1, keeping themselves alive in the Premier League, but the result worked wonders Chelsea.

To fully understand the situation, we have to travel back in time to . . . midweek.

Chelsea’s testy win over Crystal Palace—paired with Leicester City’s draw at Arsenal—saw the Blues go third in the table. This positive movement was the first time Frank Lampard’s squad sat anywhere but fourth since October. However, despite celebrating the promotion to third, the Foxes and Red Devils still stood within striking distance.

Then the Blues, in typical Chelsea fashion, came out and were battered by Sheffield United. This meant the club’s top four hopes were no longer in its hands. Instead, their destiny would be decided by Leicester, Manchester United and maybe even Wolverhampton Wanderers. Enter Special Agent Solanke.

The Cherries looked beaten and bruised after conceding the opening goal to Jamie Vardy. Then, Solanke and Junior Stanislas (assisted by a Johnnie Evans OG) combined for four goals to hammer the Foxes; thus restoring Chelsea’s Champions League chances.

Solanke joins a group consisting of Luiz, Cahill and other former Blues to earn favorable results for Chelsea this season. The young forward played in west London from 2004 to 2017, but his eventual exit to Liverpool had fans fuming and cursing his name. Nevertheless, it’s likely those around Stamford Bridge are singing his praises. If the Blues secure top four come the end of July, there is one young man in the southern region of England that deserves a thank you card or two.

The 22-year-old’s brace now means that Chelsea controls its own future. The hopes of many rested with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and its outcome of the case against Manchester City before the matches Sunday morning, but with only three games to go in the Premier League now, the path is looking relatively clear regardless of the CAS’ divine intervention.

The former Chelsea forward is now back in good graces with the club’s faithful. Special Agent Solanke’s goals undoubtedly mean a lot to both he, Howe and Bournemouth, but Chelsea may end up benefitting the most when it’s all done and dusted.