Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli shows Xabi Alonso he can be Chelsea’s next Ruben Loftus-Cheek with assist
Xabi Alonso is struggling to know who to pick in Chelsea’s midfield at the moment, but he might have just been given a helping hand – by Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli.
With Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson still injured, Xabi Alonso has been using Malo Gusto and Reece James in the middle of the park at times. John Terry still thinks James is better as a right-back.
DISCUSS: It’s time for Xabi Alonso to start Valentin Barco…
The stats simply DO NOT lie 👇
Gusto, meanwhile, has struggled for form of late. Chelsea need to sort their midfield out and perhaps, in turn, it will help plug the leak of goals that continue to hamper the Blues’ results moving forward.
Valentin Barco was certainly more impressive than Romeo Lavia on Saturday, but it might be that Alonso needs to take a look at Chelsea’s CNG. Reggie Watson and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli continue to catch the eye.
Chelsea’s U21 side smash Arsenal 4-1 at Boreham Wood
Despite playing away at Meadow Park, Chelsea were dominant as Harry Hudson’s side put Arsenal to the sword. Leo Black, Chizaram Ezenwata and a brace from Watson saw Chelsea cruise past The Gunners.
It’s three wins in a row for the CNG now, after losing their opening game to Bournemouth. They beat Bristol Rovers’ senior side in the EFL Trophy on penalties, before wins against West Ham and now Arsenal.
Watson’s two goals, but Nicoll-Jazuli’s assist catches the eye
Watson started against Leeds in the week, and while he was hooked at half-time, it showed Alonso is willing to blood youth and call up U21 players into his senior side. Watson scored a stunning free-kick.
But Chelsea fans are in awe of Nicoll-Jazuli on social media, after he fed Ezenwata with a perfectly weighted assist. With Chelsea struggling in midfield, Nicoll-Jazuli’s assist serves as a reminder to Alonso.
Nicoll-Jazuli embodies Ruben Loftus-Cheek with assist for CNG
It wasn’t just a simple pick-up and pass through the lines. It was street football at its finest, showing desire and strength before driving forward and feeding his teammate, who finished incredibly well.
Chelsea don’t have that kind of player in the first team. That midfielder who can go past players, drive forward, and join the attack – like Loftus-Cheek. Nicoll-Jazuli’s assist shows Alonso he can be that man.
Loftus-Cheek has become renowned in the Premier League and Serie A for his physicality from midfield, twinned with his vision and creativity. He can create magic out of nothing, much like Nicoll-Jazuli did.
He might still only be 16, having been born in Sydney in 2010, but Nicoll-Jazuli is ready. Like Watson, he is far too good to be playing U21 football, and his assist is more proof that Alonso needs to call him up.
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