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Three lessons learnt in Chelsea 2-0 Middlesbrough: Incredible form

By Tan Yi Hao

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Isaiah Jones of Middlesbrough is challenged by Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Middlesbrough v Chelsea at Riverside Stadium on March 19, 2022 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Isaiah Jones of Middlesbrough is challenged by Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Middlesbrough v Chelsea at Riverside Stadium on March 19, 2022 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Malang Sarr of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on January 5, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Malang Sarr of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on January 5, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

3. The left back conundrum

While Chelsea did not concede on the night and Edouard Mendy was able to secure his 18th clean sheet of the season, left back Malang Sarr once again failed to impress during the game. The left back position is by no means Sarr’s favoured position and the Frenchman certainly did not perform badly by any stretch of the imagination. However, it is clear that the 23-year-old is not the solution to Chelsea’s current issues on the left side of the defence.

Awkward on the ball and guilty of clumsy challenges from time to time, Sarr did not look comfortable with his positioning on the pitch. He was clearly the weakest link of Chelsea’s defence on the night, as evidenced by Middlesbrough’s constant attacking down its right wing. Once again, it is important to recognise that this is not Sarr’s preferred position. Nevertheless, against better Premier League or European opposition, the Frenchman simply would not cut it at left back.

Moreover, it is particularly telling that any Chelsea attack of note came predominately down the right side of the pitch. Both the goals from Lukaku and Ziyech came from rapid build up of play starting from the Blues’ back line and in both instances, Sarr was not involved. The makeshift left back could, of course, have simply been following tactical advice from Tuchel to not advance too far up the pitch. However, those instructions could simply be in reaction to Sarr’s limited capacity as an attacking fullback and further illustrates the Frenchman’s lack of suitability as a left back. Having already tried out Marcos Alonso, Saul and even Pulisic in that position throughout the season, it is clear that there are no easy solutions with Ben Chilwell absent. Tuchel must surely be sweating on the fitness of Reece James after the international break—with crucial ties against Real Madrid coming up—so he is able to potentially fill Cesar Azpilicueta in at left back.

Next. Chelsea 2-0 Boro player ratings: Ziyech books ticket to Wembley. dark

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