Just a month ago, Chelsea looked disconnected, unmotivated, and directionless, losing to the 23-time Croatan league champions GNK Dinamo Zagreb on the road in the opening match of the Champions League. Weeks filled with change, and few faces followed, as the Blues began a new chapter in its club’s history.
There was not much to learn from Graham Potter’s first match in the UCL against RB Salzburg, but against the European powerhouse, the Blues looked to have turned the corner at the perfect time. With the return of two CFC fan favorites and the sheer mystique that comes from the club, AC Milan, Wednesday night at the Bridge had all the makings of a statement to the rest of Europe if executed correctly.
In arguably the most crucial game of the season so far for Chelsea, Potter guided his team to a deserving triumph against the mighty AC Milan to jump to second in the group standings. Anything but a win at Stamford Bridge was essentially the end of the Blues’ 2022/23 Champions League campaign. Behind the brilliance of Reece James on the right flank, and the stability in the back brought on by Thiago Silva, and Kalidou Koulibaly, Chelsea looks like it has flipped the script on the season, playing with much more fluidity, and togetherness.
"Following the conclusion of the match, Potter gave his thoughts on his team’s performance: “Delighted with the performance and attitude against top opponents. I thought we had to react well and we did. We had to suffer as well which is good to do. I’m really pleased for the players and that’s a good start for us.”"
Even with less of the ball, Chelsea found ways to adapt, and create danger using counters, playing the ball out wide to James and Ben Chilwell to add width and another dimension to the Blues’ forward play. Milan only challenged the Blues once just before the halftime whistle, as Kepa Arrizabalaga denied any chance at an equalizer. 43 attacks from the Blues compared to just 28 by Milan demonstrates how much more efficient Chelsea had been with the ball at its feet compared to the opposition who never found any consistent rhythm all night.
It may only be three games into the Potter era, but the amount of growth and joy the players are having on the pitch compared to what transpired in late August against Southampton is exponential. Having nearly two whole weeks between games no doubt helped Potter get acclimated with what life was going to be like in west London. The Blues have to travel to Milan next week in another thrilling contest, but the fact that Chelsea was able to capture a win by a three-goal margin gives the Blues the confidence they need to head into the chaotic environment that is San Siro. From a night to remember at Stamford Bridge, here are the lessons from the Blues’ first Champions League win of the season.
Chelsea show adaptability under pressure
With a nearly even spread in possession, and passes completed on both sides, the Potter-led Blues attacked when the chances came their way. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is showing flashes of finding a new home in west London, scoring in consecutive matches, as he attempts to deliver in ways Chelsea’s previous No.9 could not. Mason Mount is bound to score his first goal of the season, nearly doing it twice before being denied by the offside flag, and a sensational block by the Milan defense. Once the Blues snatched possession away from the defending Serie A champions, everything was going forward, and with Raheem Sterling, and James creating danger on the flanks the speed at which the Blues countered looked to be too quick for an unprepared Milan side.
Aubameyang continued to work Milan’s backline out of position with his movement off the ball. With all the pressure that was on Chelsea’s third Champions League contest of the season, Potter’s side was moving as free as ever. Just 38 minutes into the match, Wesley Fofana was forced off the pitch due to injury, and the often overlooked 23-year-old centerback, Trevoh Chalobah came on for a seamless transition. There was no fear in Chalobah’s eyes, and while he has only played in two matches this season before Wednesday night, it takes a lot for someone to come on in a big moment and execute against one of the best young attacking players in world football when he has not been asked to for quite some time.
In just his fourth Champions League match of his career, the English defender subbed on for one of the club’s biggest signings of the transfer window, and held his ground, giving Potter even more confidence if Fofana does miss significant time. Other than that one breakdown in the back, the Blues were able to overcome the quality that is Rafael Leao, an injury to one of their defenders in the first half, and moments where it did not see the majority of the ball. The Blues may encounter a new look side at San Siro in less than a week’s time, but what this contest is that wherever is thrown Chelsea’s way, Potter has his team ready to take it head-on.
Reece James lives for the moment
It was going to be difficult for James to piece a performance that outshined the one at Selhurst Park over the weekend, but in classic Reece James fashion, he casually demonstrated to the world why he is one of the best to fly down the right wing. He became the youngest player in Chelsea history to score and assist in the same Champions League match at 22 years and 301 days. 45 percent of the Blues’ attack against AC Milan came from the right flank.
Whether it’s distribution or chemistry with Sterling in front of him, James makes the game of football look far easier than it is. At the age of 22, it is mind-blowing to believe that he may even have more levels to unlock. His combination of speed, strength, and composure on the ball already makes him a nightmare for the opposition to plan for.
James was tied for the team lead for most crosses with four and tied for second alongside Chilwell for the number of key passes. James’ has the nose in front of the goal, the touch to collect himself when necessary, and the class to find the pass to break open a defense. It is going to be difficult to imagine Gareth Southgate picking anyone else, but James for his right-wing back spot on the English national team for the World Cup next month. He completed the most passes in the game for the Blues, and once again showed the players down at the academy level what the future could look like if you take the chances that are presented your way.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is here to fight for his job
If Edouard Mendy did not injure his knee against West Ham a few weeks ago, who knows if Kepa was going to get the green light from the manager in a match of this magnitude? The Spanish goalkeeper took the opportunity in front of him and ran with it. When his name was called upon, he did his job, and while there was not much to take from an outing with only one recorded save, it is difficult to now see Potter go back to Mendy when Kepa has put together back-to-back quality performances between the sticks.
He may have only had 26 touches on the ball, but at the end of the day, a goalkeeper’s job is to keep the ball from hitting the back of the net, and Kepa did just that. He made one world-class save last weekend from long range from a shot on the ground from Eberechi Eze in the 10’ of the match. In the past, that ball may have found its way past the Spaniard, but after nearly leaving for Italy during the summer, Kepa wants to try his luck at creating a challenging decision for Potter for the spot between the posts.
It wasn’t a mind-blowing outing for Kepa, but the trend line is in his favor, and with Mendy finally fit and ready to go, the competition is just able to heat up. Who Potter starts at keeper next Tuesday in Milan is going to send the message of who is really at the top of the food chain. Amid all of the drama that has been his Chelsea career, Kepa has taken the bull by the horns, continuing to ignite confidence for Chelsea fans when he stands in the net.