Here are 5 lessons learned as Chelsea take their winning run to 5 consecutive matches under Graham Potter.
✓ Kepa’s Resurgence :
Signing as the world’s most expensive goal-keeper, it’s been a topsy-turvy time in between the sticks for Kepa Arrizabalaga with a good debut season followed by a disaster of a second season with Frank Lampard at the helm.
A couple of lucky occurrences with the appointment of Graham Potter and injury to previously established number one, Edou Mendy has meant Kepa got reinstated as the make-shift number one and the Spaniard has t looked back since.
Immense command of his penalty area coupled with the vast improvement of his passing range and accuracy has meant Kepa having a strong shout to retaining his position as the number one.
Here against Aston Villa at the Villa park, Kepa came up strongly to help keep out the Villians with a strong showing, having made 7 saves with an expected goal ratio faced of 2.06.
Kepa and Chelsea have now kept 4 consecutive clean-sheets with the last goal conceded coming at Selhurst Park in the game against Crystal Palace.
✓ Mount shines Bright :
Mason Mount, what a player! The England international has often been criticized this season by fans but since the appointment of Graham Potter, Mount has taken his game up a notch higher with more freedom given to the Cobham graduate.
Mount’s brilliant form has been somewhat of a gradual progress with stellar performances in victories over Wolves and AC Milan in Milan.
Here against Villa, Mount looked back to his best with an all round display here wining 7 out of 11 duels contested, completing two dribbles attempted, and having 2/4 completed long balls.
Of all stats garnered by the Englishman, his two goals were the most important and both were well deserved courtesy of his intense pressing and brilliant technique from a free-kick.
Mount now seems back to his best!
✓ Loftus-Cheek’s Impact
Constantly battling hard against luck and injuries, it is a relief to see RLC finally getting a deserved run in the team in his favorite midfield position.
Playing as one of the double pivot in Chelsea’s
3-4-3 system, RLC’s close dribbling has been a huge weapon in playing out from the back and helping to alleviate pressure from the opposition.
His huge physical frame has been put to good use with RLC often shielding the ball perfectly from opposing players (Most Fouled Player with 5) and helping out defensively by providing cover to the back line (8 recoveries). With the World Cup barely a month away, it would have been a pleasing sight for England’s Manager, Gareth Southgate who was watching on at Villa Park.
If RLC keeps his current form, making the World Cup as a wildcard isn’t off the table.
✓ Trevoh Chalobah, An Unlikely Hero :
With the signature of Wesley Fofana, many expected Trevoh Chalobah to leave Stamford Bridge and that looked all likely until former manager, Thomas Tuchel insisted on keeping the academy graduate. That move by the hierarchy to keep the former Lorient defender seems to be paying off after the injury suffered by Fofana.
Since coming on against Milan at the Bridge, Chalobah has started every game since then and his brilliant performances have all gone a bit under the radar. His consistency is a thing of admiration as the Cobham graduate has often gone about his business rather quietly with no fuss. His 6 clearances and pass accuracy of 87% contributed to the victory today.
Chalobah has now been undefeated in his 29 starts for Chelsea.
Man of the Match; Mason Mount: 9/10
Next up for the blues is a game against London rivals, Brentford.
