Chelsea secured a much-needed three points away at Bournemouth on Saturday and football.london takes a look at some of the talking points from the crucial victory
Noni Madueke was excellent for Chelsea in their win against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon (Image: Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images)
Be honest: How many of you actually believed Chelsea would pick up three points at Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon?
If any of you said ‘me’, then firstly I’m not sure if I believe you and if it is true, then fair play. Going into the match, Frank Lampard’s side had been beaten in their last six games in all competitions. The interim Blues head coach has insisted all along that there are still things to play for this season and has spoken a lot about taking “pride” in their play to take “steps” forward. Well they did that on Saturday – much to everyone’s surprise.
After every one of Chelsea’s three goals, the travelling supporters – who were loud all game long at a rainy Vitality Stadium – were very vocal with their tongue-in-cheek chants about how bad their team have been recently. “How s*** must you be, we’re winning a game,” as well as “we’ve scored a goal” were just a couple of the songs coming from the away end.
PLAYER RATINGS: Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth as Benoit Badiashile and Noni Madueke excellent in victory
Chelsea played with some control in the first-half, not as much as Lampard would have liked but they were fine in possession for the most part. However, chances were few and far between but when Conor Gallagher did get one, he made Bournemouth pay with a fine header into the corner.
A moment of magic from Matias Vina saw the Cherries level the match and we all thought: ‘Here we go again’, but that wasn’t the case. Chelsea came alive in the latter stages of the second-half. Benoit Badiashile finished well on the volley after a fine Hakim Ziyech delivery and then Joao Felix converted the fourth and final goal of the game after a trademark – albeit not so much this season – Raheem Sterling solo run.
So what did we learn from Chelsea’s rare win? Is this the start of a run for Lampard and his team between now and the end of the season?
Lampard discovers two undroppables
It was about time. When Chelsea supporters saw Badiashile’s name on the teamsheet before the start of the game, there was a sense of excitement. The young Frenchman had shown moments of brilliance since signing for the Blues in January but this was his first start since the defeat to Brighton last month.
Up against an in-form and nuisance of a striker in Dominic Solanke, it was a difficult test for Badiashile. But he did not make it look like that. It was all so simple for the 22-year-old defender. He won more than 50% of his duels and was dribbled past just once at the Vitality Stadium.
He’s so composed on the ball as well which sets him apart from some Chelsea centre-backs. He was constantly looking for the long ball over the top to Kai Havertz and he found him a lot. A superb display and he has to be a mainstay in the first-team for the remainder of the season.
Likewise with Madueke. The 21-year-old winger played out on the wide right and was practically hugging the touchline at times, allowing him the space to operate against Vina at left-back. He continuously tried taking Vina on and more often than not he made it look easy.
The only issue is that final ball. The elusive final ball. It’s been the problem with every Chelsea attacker this season. But what Madueke does that they don’t is excite supporters. He is so quick and the ball is practically on a string when at his feet. He looks an absolute nightmare to defend against.
A pure entertainer reminiscent of Allan Saint-Maximin in that respect.
Gallagher sends transfer message
A lot has been said about Gallagher and his future at Chelsea. We know there is interest in the England international’s signature ahead of the summer transfer window, but in recent matches he looks as if he is playing for his future at Stamford Bridge.
That could have a lot to do with the faith Lampard has shown in the midfielder. He has started four of Lampard’s five Premier League games since returning to the club. He was given another go on Saturday afternoon and the interim manager’s faith was almost instantly repaid on nine minutes when the midfielder headed in.
If he can continue this sort of form in the remaining games of the season then Chelsea have a serious decision on their hands in the summer transfer window. We all know Gallagher would ideally like to stay in west London at his boyhood club but game-time and first-team opportunities of course have loads to say in that. Whatever the new manager has in store for him will determine what happens.
A different role for Kante
N’Golo Kante has played in countless different roles throughout the years as a Chelsea player. He’s played defensive midfielder, in the No.8 role, he even played as sort of a second-striker recently. Against Bournemouth, it was kind of the box-to-box role we’re used to seeing but he had an attacking purpose to help Madueke out on the right-hand side, something we’ve not seen so much.
Madueke, Kante and right-back Trevoh Chalobah were often in close proximity with one another which helped Chelsea control the game at times. There looks like there was an actual shape and as simple as that sounds, it’s not something we’ve seen all that much under the interim charge of Lampard.
Kante delivered a peach of a cross into the box for the opening goal of the game, with Gallagher heading it in. It’s something we don’t usually associate with the Frenchman’s game but it once again proves just how much of an all-round midfielder he is.
Source: football.london
