Well, Chelsea needed that one! After a week of feeling downtrodden and as if the end of the season might become catastrophic, the Blues put together an absolute trouncing against Southampton. They wasted no time getting on the scoresheet as they scored three goals in the opening 21 minutes, four goals in the first half and six goals on the afternoon in total. Frankly, this performance was critically important with key fixtures ahead in the pursuit of Champions League glory, FA Cup and a top four Premier League finish. While it won’t assuage some of the feelings of angst regarding the team’s form against elite competition, it did provide some key takeaways that can help build confidence for the players and supporters alike.
Here are four lessons we learnt in Chelsea’s 6-0 drubbing of Southampton:
1. Despite recent failings, this squad isn’t giving anything up
There was a feeling that things were crumbling apart in SW6 heading into Saturday’s match. After back-to-back defeats where the Blues were outclassed in every facet of both matches, an unease started to creep in regarding the prospect of clinching a top four finish.
However, the squad showed a fire that had been seemingly non-existent recently from the opening whistle at St. Mary’s. Timo Werner nearly connected on two separate occasions within the first 10 minutes and Mason Mount beautifully flicked the ball to Marcos Alonso to open the onslaught during the same period. The squad wouldn’t be comfortable with its position, however. Chelsea went on to knock in a barrage of goals in the first half that left Southhampton’s players and supporters in a bewildered state.
It was a scintillating performance from a Blues squad that needed to display a high level of resiliency. Chelsea is a young team and with big matches ahead, this type of bounce-back is critical to building confidence—especially in the pursuit of another trophy. A top four finish seems to be almost locked up as a result of this performance.
2. Timo Werner’s work rate erases a persistent string of bad luck
Whew, what a roller coaster this match was for Werner. Drawing a rare start, the German immediately made an impact on this match, something I am not certain Southhampton was prepared for given his recent form.
At first, it appeared that Werner was on pace for the type of unlucky day that has become his trademark during his time at Chelsea. It started with a shot off the post in the 2′, which was quickly followed up by a strike that rattled the crossbar just four minutes later. His knack for bad luck appeared again in the 17′, when his brilliant close-range shot was saved by Fraser Forster in what could have—on another day—been his third goal of the contest. Werner’s luck changed in the 21st and 49th minutes when he delivered two goals. The former was the result of a brilliant counterattack that allowed the German to display his elite speed to create a one-on-one with the keeper that was slipped in with relative ease. It was everything Chelsea supporters dreamed of when their side signed Werner and then some.
Suffice it to say, Werner is a bit of an enigma. On one hand, he has mustered some laughable blunders on simple finishes that have caused many to question if he can succeed in a Premier League that features an unrivaled level of physicality and skill from defenders. On the other, he is impossible to root against due to his unrivaled work rate and fun-loving personality. Almost every time he enters the pitch he ensures that he does everything within his power to contribute to team success. Werner showed on Saturday that—at times—his commitment to relentless effort can create great rewards, as it did against Saints when he netted a brace.
3. Chelsea has been searching for a striker like Kai Havertz
We likely don’t need to belabor this point too much as it’s a familiar tale to the Chelsea faithful. Over the last few years, the Blues have been searching for a player who can lead the front line and replace the likes of Diego Costa and Didier Drogba. Chelsea has had a revolving door of strikers, and some false nine projects, that has seen Tammy Abraham, Oliver Giroud, Romelu Lukaku, Alvaro Morata, Christian Pulisic and Werner—amongst others—all try to provide stability at the position. Yet, it seems to be German wunderkind Kai Havertz who is finally growing into the role while also displaying a big match pedigree.
Havertz’s goal on Saturday was his 13th of the season and fifth in as many matches. He seems to be very adept at operating as a “false nine,” excelling in both linking to his teammates and moving into more advanced positions. He’s also tacked on an additional five assists to add to his team-high goalscoring tally.
Saturday’s match at the St. Mary’s Stadium exemplified what makes Havertz great in his redefined role under Thomas Tuchel. In the 32′, the 22-year-old found himself in the perfect position to clean up a Werner shot that deflected off the crossbar, which he did effortlessly. Just a few moments later, Havertz displayed two FIFA-style skill dribbles with an “olé” move to retain possession when being pressed by a few Saints defenders. He’s simply evolving before our eyes and it’s hard to fathom any team-building philosophy that doesn’t have Havertz at the center of it. Chelsea may have finally found its next great No. 9 in the youngster.
4. Mason Mount is Chelsea’s talisman
This was a Mount masterclass in every possible way. After receiving a heavy load of criticism after the Champions League tie against Real Madrid for his sub-par performance, Mount did what he always does by delivering a follow-up performance that could easily be considered one of his best in a Chelsea shirt. The Englishman walked off the pitch at St. Mary’s with two goals, one spectacular assist, three tackles won, an 83% pass accuracy and two total chances created. I had him ranked as the second-best player on the pitch, behind Werner, with an 8.1 out of 10 rating.
What you don’t see from Mount statistically is the impact he has on the squad as a whole, which earns him plaudits from a large portion of Chelsea fans. Whenever the Blues seem to be losing energy, or they’re in need of a big play, Mount has a way of grabbing the match by the scruff of the neck. Spectators were treated to that ability again on Saturday after two big misses that could easily have started to place doubt in the squad. Mount’s assist to Alonso opened the flood gates for a much-needed blowout and a straightforward three points for the visitors.
There is a significant amount of discord surrounding Mount at Chelsea. There is a subset of the fanbase that loves to dismiss his ability, but time and time again, he proves that he is exactly what the squad needs. He’s a true blue player, raised in Cobham, who displays captain-like abilities when the squad needs him most. This was a single-game performance for Mount, but it’s emblematic of his role on this squad in a broader context. Mount is not only one of the best players in the Premier League, he’s also Chelsea’s talisman.
What are some of the lessons you learnt in this contest? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!