Chelsea travels to Merseyside to face Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton in a crunch Premier League clash, but what three key battles will decide the bout?
Chelsea travels up to Everton on Saturday to present a match that seemed much sexier a few weeks ago. Some rest finally resides in the legs of the Blues’ starting XI after their absence in the midweek Champions League dead-rubber, and Frank Lampard’s side should be ready to fire on all cylinders at Goodison Park this weekend. In their way stands a sometimes-formidable side, cajoled by one of Stamford Bridge’s former sons (though father seems more fitting).
Here’s a few key duels that could decide the fate of the match:
1. Mason Mount vs. James Rodriguez
There are few players who operate in a similar area of the patch that could be so diametrically opposed. Mason Mount is fire, brimstone, pressing and passion; James Rodriguez is flair, finesse, fashionable and fair-weathered. It should make for a fascinating spectacle, fit for a Brian De Palma split screen.
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The thing is, one’s operating at the peak of his still-evolving powers, while the other is desperately trying to hold on to some semblance of his devolving talents. If Mount can continue this rich vein of form, in which he’s basically bossed every game both on the ball and off, he should expose Everton’s worst deficiencies whilst locking down their greatest assets.
Thing is, on his day, James Rodriguez remains James Rodriguez. He’s that mythic magician who transfixed the globe with his hypnotic hold over that Brazuca ball, so anything is possible.
2. Timo Werner’s wingers vs. Alex Iwobi’s wingbacks
Saturday’s showdown involves two teams whose recent fortunes have been epitomized by their wing play. On the one hand, you have the rampaging way Timo Werner and Co. have run the channels, bludgeoning opponents into submission with their legs no matter the bluntness of their finishing. Death by a thousand darts, as it should be known.
On the other, you have the relentless way the Toffees have been ripped apart thanks to their feckless flanks of Alex Iwobi and Tom Davies. It’s not that the duo has been terrible—especially not Iwobi and not going forward either—but neither are wingbacks, and it doesn’t take a genius to work out the flaws in that system. Hell, it took Burnley less than three minutes, imagine how long it’ll take the in-form Blues.
3. Frank Lampard vs Carlo Ancelotti
When you play most of your career at Chelsea and then enter into management, you’re bound to have a multitude of managerial matches against previous masters. Two weeks on from his last, Lampard finds himself once again up against a one-time tutor and even more than that, someone he molds his managerial style after.
The last time this fixture was held—which was also the last pre-Pandemic Chelsea game—Lampard’s lads handed Ancelotti’s athletes a four-goal lesson in lethal finishing. Though the last time it was held at Goodison Park, the Toffees won 3-1 in the first game following Marco Silva’s sacking. In short, the Italian veteran will be hoping to extract the requisite wisdom from both in order to teach his former student another thing or two. Unfortunately, his protege has the edge in both form and fitness, and if this ’emergency’ 3-4-3 is deployed once again, he could be in line for a thrashing.
What are some of the key clashes you’ll be watching for? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!