Newcastle 1-1 Chelsea: 3 Blues talking points
By Abdul Abdullahi
Here are three Blues talking points from Chelsea’s third Pre-Season match against Newcastle:
Reece James is back for Chelsea and his dream becomes reality!
Reece James played his first match since April, lasting 65 minutes, and faced a tough challenge against the in-form Gordon. He needed more game time to regain his full form, and especially in the early stages, the former Evertonian managed to get past him a couple of times, which can be forgiven.
The most intriguing part of his return was when Pochettino handed him the captain’s armband, just a day after expressing his interest in the position permanently during a press conference. The manager now faces a decision as other seniors players such as Thiago Silva and Kepa Arrizabalaga are also strong candidates.
Currently, James appears to be the top choice – a guaranteed starter if fit and a strong voice in the team, having been nurtured in the academy. The English international mentioned that some of his teammates lacked commitment last season, but this upcoming season, there’s a fresh and positive energy within the squad.
Ian Maatsen’s versatility will become useful
Maatsen, typically a left-back, has showcased his versatility during the pre-season by playing as a left-wing in the first two games and then adjusting to an even more unfamiliar right-wing position against Newcastle. Despite these changes, he continues to impress. His tactical discipline has been remarkable, and he has quickly adapted to Mauricio Pochettino’s game plan.
Functioning as an inverted winger, Maatsen has effectively connected all phases of play, exemplified by his well-timed through ball that assisted Nicolas Jackson, highlighting his significant technical and tactical contributions to the team.
The left-footed player enjoyed significant freedom in the system, allowing them to drift inside and find pockets of space. This created opportunities for the overlapping right-back, Reece James, to capitalize on the space and actively contribute to the team’s attacking moves.