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After Chelsea took 210 actual minutes to earn themselves a penalty shootout against Championship mid-table stalwarts Norwich City in the Energy Drink Cup, it was really anyone’s guess how they would fare against a Premier League side in the better domestic cup competition. Even if that Premier League side was Newcastle.
After watching Tottenham struggle against Newport County and Liverpool exit at the hands of Alan Pardew’s side, it was up to Chelsea to keep the FA Cup fun going (not for you neutrals. For me, you heathens). They have very much been their own worst enemy this season. But there was reason to be positive before the game.
One. Newcastle do not travel well. At least to London. They have very much struggled at Stamford Bridge losing each of their last five games there before Sunday’s showing. But every run will come to an end, thankfully, it will have to wait until at least next season.
Two. Rafa Benitez. The silly sod. For as much blustering he’s done over the years he has managed a single win at Stamford Bridge as an opposition manager. One. A dark day that was. The likelihood of him finding a second any time soon is growing less and less likely as each Mike Ashley ‘backed’ transfer window passes.
Three. Antonio Conte freeing himself from favouritism for the greater good. Otherwise known as replacing Victor Moses with someone who knows how to cross a ball. And a series of other football related tasks that still evade Mr. Moses including but not limited to keeping possession, winning a ball, passing to a teammate.
While the 3-0 scoreline looked like business as usual, the match wasn’t so black and white. No pun intended. Newcastle were poor - but still managed to ensure that Big Willy earned his pay check. Willy Caballero was forced to make a number of saves that on the balance of play really shouldn’t have happened. Whether its from having an ever changing back line or the odd lapse in concentration, I couldn’t say. But it might be something they’ll want to tighten up before hosting Leo Messi FC in a fortnight.
Overshadowing Caballero’s exceptional performance was, of course, the newly coiffed Michy Batshuayi. He’s only into double digit goals now for this season. Which means he averages a goal about every 100 minutes he plays. Not a bad return. Plus he links up well with Eden Hazard, makes himself a physical presence in the opposition box and more often than not stays on his feet without much complaint. What does he get up to in training that Antonio Conte doesn’t rate?!
I realise his goals aren’t usually against the most challenging of opposition, but you can only score against what’s in front of you. The irony is the brace seems to have only put him in the German shop window. As much as I rate Olivier Giroud, it seems odd that there is a chance that we would allow a forward that has potential to go out on loan just so that Arsenal can sign one of the deadliest strikers in Europe. If Batshuayi is being used as a pawn in the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer, than Chelsea’s asset should benefit Chelsea the most in the deal? Just a thought.
Sunday’s FA Cup game highlights what Batshuayi can bring to a match when given the chance. And not just against a struggling Newcastle side. The Belgian offers something different than Alvaro Morata in his physicality and style of play. However, like Morata, he is a confidence player. And Conte has shown time and again that he has very little in Batshuayi.
Surely even Conte sees that it would be more worthwhile to give the Batman a runout than to spend even a penny on Ashley Barnes. Ashley Barnes who has managed four goals in his last 30 games. Or Andy Carroll who’s always in the physio room. Or Peter Crouch who’s seventy-five years old. A little known secret tip about the transfer market — don’t spend any money unless you are actually upgrading.
Hands up who’d like to see Caballero and Batshuayi both start again on Wednesday night?!
jb xx
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