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Three things to look for in Chelsea vs Everton: Rafa’s return

By Gabe Henderson

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Mason Mount of Chelsea celebrates after scoring goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on December 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Mason Mount of Chelsea celebrates after scoring goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on December 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Rafael Benitez, Manager of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 06, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Rafael Benitez, Manager of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 06, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /

2. Rafa’s return and Romelu’s revenge

Purely from an entertainment standpoint, this match has it all. No love lost between two fanbases who paint their respective major cities blue, some of the world’s most exciting young stars, polarizing players and two notable reunions to cap it all off. It is worth noting that neither reunion is happening for the first time. Nevertheless, any time Rafa Benitez comes to Stamford Bridge, headlines write themselves. The same goes for Romelu Lukaku, who blossomed into a world class striker wearing the blue of the Toffees, when he faces off against his former side.

For the former, there will be absolutely no love lost on Thursday night. For one reason or another, a majority of Chelsea supporters simply do not like Benitez. It’s petty and it’s relatively unjustified, but it’s just the way things are in west London. The Spaniard will know what type of reception to expect when he steps foot onto the familiar Stamford Bridge pitch once again. However, Thursday night is about a lot more than the chants and jeers from the home crowd for Benitez. He has faced nonbelievers since the moment he took over at Everton due to his affiliation as a former manager of Liverpool. While one can’t help but feel a bit for the 61-year-old, there’s no denying he’s done little to excite the Toffees’ faithful thus far.

Benitez is now the betting favorite to be the next manager sacked in the Premier League. His side sits just seven points above the relegation zone, which is even more worrying when one considers that Burnley (currently 18th) has a game in hand. Everton fans haven’t necessarily demanded excellence, but they would’ve at least liked to have seen Benitez pick up where Carlo Ancelotti left off and hover around the top half of the table. Benitez could now be coaching for his job at a venue the Toffees haven’t won at in the league since 1994. The mounting pressure on the Spaniard’s position seems a little bit more important than his reception in west London.

Switching gears, on the other side stands Lukaku. Much like Benitez, Lukaku has underachieved in a way. Don’t get it twisted, I’m not here to harp on about how Lukaku was the wrong striker for Chelsea or how he’s not going to come good. I am of the mindset that the Belgian was the right No. 9 for this side from day one, I still believe that, and I think his best is yet to come. The way some Blues ‘supporters’ are acting, you’d think he’s been a complete flop. That’s far from the case.

On the surface, Lukaku’s five-goal tally in 16 matches is underwhelming. However, a handful of those appearances came as a substitute. He’s only played in 985 minutes, which comes out to around 11 full matches. Factor in his six total goal contributions and things don’t look so dark now, do they? A goal contribution every 164 minutes isn’t ideal from a £97 million signing, but it’s not too shabby for a struggling striker in a Chelsea shirt. Even then, some are becoming restless with Lukaku because he hasn’t done much lately for the Blues and football fans have short-term memories. The 28-year-old missed nearly two months this season and he’s still taking time to get used to playing in England again, under a new manager, with new teammates, in a new system. Keyboard warriors underestimate how difficult that truly is to do. He’s not a machine, he can’t just flip a switch and turn into the world’s best striker in an instant. Chemistry and confidence take time, be patient with the lovable Lukaku.

Back to the main point though.

The former Everton man, should he start, can find his footing again against his former side. Lukaku has scored just once against the Toffees in his career, but if he really wants to get the Bridge singing once again, he’ll add to that tally on Thursday. Benitez’s men have allowed the fifth most goals in the Premier League this season with 28 in just 16 games. Chelsea, on the other hand, is the third-highest scoring team in the English top flight. The Blues need a 20-goal per season No. 9 if they are to achieve the things they have their hearts set on. The club record transfer can be that guy, but in order to do so, he needs to find the back of the net against a depleted Everton squad.

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