The duel-winning Chelsea monster that sent a message to Xabi Alonso against Leeds, he’s ready
There were a handful of Chelsea players that needed to play well against Leeds United on Wednesday night. Xabi Alonso will take plenty from the 6-3 comeback win over Daniel Farke’s Whites.
Plenty has been said about Estevao amid reports he is concerned about his game time. Jamie Gittens is said to have asked for an exit, Pep Chavarria continues to prove his credentials. Many needed to play well.
What a game! Where do you rank this new Chelsea attack as Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers shine again?
Leeds couldn’t handle them 🔥
But ultimately, Chelsea won because of the big guns brought on at half-time by Alonso. With Chelsea trailing 1-0 at the break, Alonso brought on Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Pedro Neto and Reece James.
Estevao and Gittens failed to prove to Alonso that they deserve more game time. Mike Penders played well but still conceded three. However, no-one needed a better performance than Valentin Barco.
Why Barco might share Estevao’s concerns about game time
Bought for £34m from Strasbourg, Barco won’t get a better chance all season to stamp his mark on the starting XI. But the Argentine has been afforded just eight minutes of Premier League football so far.
With Jordan Henderson and Moises Caicedo injured, James often needing a rest and Romeo Lavia still struggling to play 90 minutes, Barco has a chance. But he is yet to start a league game for Alonso.
Going into the Leeds game, Barco knew that the pressure was on him to show Alonso that he can be trusted in England’s top tier. To prove he is more than just a back-up option. The stats prove he did that.
Barco’s stunning stats prove Alonso can trust him in midfield
Before the game, Alonso described Barco as a “fighter” with an “Argentinian heart”. On Wednesday night, Barco showed exactly why Alonso thinks that. It wasn’t perfect, but it was aggressive and fans loved it.
He might have lost the ball for Leeds’ second, but he made up for it with his first Chelsea goal. However, the numbers prove Barco can be trusted to solve Chelsea’s lack of midfield options moving forward.
Joint-first for duels won, winning 12 and only losing three, is remarkable. Not only that, but he won seven tackles, proving Alonso right. A fired-up, aggressive Barco is a pitbull that Chelsea desperately need.
However, it wasn’t just off the ball that saw Barco stand out. He scored, but he also enjoyed more touches than any player with 89, and completed 52 of 59 passes. The third-most completed passes on the pitch.
Saturday’s clash is the perfect opportunity to blood Barco
While Hull City are yet to concede a goal in the Premier League, Saturday is the perfect opportunity for Alonso to hand Barco his first meaningful minutes. He can’t start Malo Gusto in the middle of the park.
PROVE ME WRONG: No midfielder is more perfect for Caicedo, than Barco 🔟
Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal for Barco.
Almost certainly, James will start in midfield on Saturday. He is not rushing Caicedo and Henderson is still injured. Romeo Lavia has been excellent, but the clash against Hull is the perfect chance to blood Barco.
He should be given at least 30 minutes off the bench to show his gaffer what he is capable of against Premier League opposition, in the Premier League. He starred last night; Alonso now knows he is ready.
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