Chelsea at Malmo: Three lessons learnt in Blues’ big win
3. The Cobham boys are back
If there’s one positive in the fact that a handful of the Blues’ starting XI mainstays are missing it’s that Tuchel gets to evaluate the performances of the back-ups and reserves. Surprising performances from the likes of Ross Barkley and Saul on the season—albeit on different spectrums—sum up these interesting developments. Two of the main players who have been under the spotlight recently are Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The former of the two has gotten a greater number of chances as of late due to the plethora of attacking injuries. Havertz has been forced to play centrally and with Pulisic absent until the Malmo match, the options were limited out wide. Before this season, a lot of Hudson-Odoi’s appearances under Tuchel came as a right wingback. He struggled to adapt to the new position and it’s a tall ask of anyone to overtake Cesar Azpilicueta and James in their familiar roles. Hudson-Odoi, often a divisive figure in the mind of Tuchel, has seized the opportunities he’s been given in his natural position. Tuesday was no different.
Hudson-Odoi failed to really get going in the first half as Marcos Alonso was stepping all over him in possession. Nevertheless, the German gaffer brilliantly switched the English winger onto the right side where he was afforded more space and attacking freedom alongside Azpilicueta. The 20-year-old thrived in these wide open areas. His speed and skillset were on full display for the world, most notably on his sumptuous assist on the go-ahead goal. Hudson-Odoi was arguably the best player on the pitch on Tuesday night. One of the only other players who can potentially make that claim is his fellow academy graduate, Loftus-Cheek.
The 25-year-old midfielder took fans back in time against Malmo. Loftus-Cheek showed shades of his pre-injury self under Sarri as he glided across the pitch with a pinch of arrogance and an abundance of elegance. It’s safe to say now that he’s fully back. Loftus-Cheek was a large reason why Chelsea’s xG was so high in the Champions League clash. Unfortunately, his teammates were unable to get on the end of the chances he created. The one goal to the Blues’ name won’t end up telling the full story of how superb Loftus-Cheek truly was during the match. From cheeky flicks over defenders to dribbling by two men at once inside Malmo’s 18-year box, Loftus-Cheek was able to do it all on Tuesday. The Cobham boys stole the show once again. It was special seeing Mount and James thrive against Norwich, but it’s even sweeter to see the hyphenated-name assassins from the academy torment defenses after their brutal injuries a few seasons ago.
Next. Tactics and Transfers: Chelsea show their class during injury crises. dark
What are three lessons you learnt in the win? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!