Despite receiving much criticism over the years, Chelsea’s transfer policy this season seems to be working.
Enzo Maresca’s team is full of incredibly exciting young talent who are likely to get even better in the coming seasons.
They showed what they can do in the Champions League on Wednesday night, defeating Ajax 5-1.
There were great performances from all over Chelsea’s pitch, including from young players who did something only Eden Hazard has done before.
Chelsea’s outstanding star vs Ajax
Despite playing with 10 men for most of the game, Chelsea looked great against Ajax on Wednesday and I have to say it was their young stars who really shone.
For example, Tyrik George came on at half-time and scored his fifth goal within three minutes of the restart.
Plus, there might have been at least one more on another night. The Cobham product hit two shots, made three important passes, took 39 touches in 50 minutes of play and always looked genuinely dangerous when near the opposition penalty area.
That said, the player George replaced, Marc Giu, was just as impressive.
The Spaniard scored the Blues’ opening goal, making him the third player to score two goals in the Champions League for two clubs as a teenager, with the other goal coming for Barcelona.
This exciting centre-forward has used his energy, intelligence and physicality to make the Dutch side extremely difficult to defend and definitely deserves a fresh start.
Finally, Estevao is another starter who deserves a lot of praise for his performance Wednesday night.
The Brazilian wonder was active throughout the game, winning a penalty towards the end of the first half and converting it for his first goal in the Champions League.
On any other night he could have been involved in at least one more goal, but for the west Londoners there was still another player who was even more impressive to emulate.
Chelsea star imitates Hazard
Moises Caicedo, Wesley Fofana and Enzo Fernandes all put in solid performances for Chelsea on Wednesday night, but there was only one starter who could match the legendary Eden Hazard: Jamie Gittens.
Yes, the £48m summer signing hasn’t really made much of an impact this season, but he had arguably his best game for the club against Ajax, thereby breaking Hazard’s previous record.
Incredibly, the Englishman emulated the iconic Belgian by becoming the club’s youngest player to make more than five substitutions in a UEFA Champions League match at the age of 21 years and 75 days. Since records began in the 03/04 season.
It was an incredible performance from the Borussia Dortmund crown jewel, who more than justified the Man of the Match award as he was a constant threat throughout the game, whether passing or dribbling.
Naturally, his statistics also more than support the praise he has received.
Gittens vs Ajax match | |
|---|---|
minutes | 95 minutes |
expected number of goals | 0.06 |
Expected assist | 0.47 |
assist | 1 |
key pass | 5 |
A big opportunity has arisen | 1 |
shot | 2 |
touch | 45 |
exact path | 26/28 |
tackle | 1 |
dribble | 3 |
All statistics by Sofascore | |
For example, the “explosive” winger, described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, had an expected combined goals and assists value of 0.53 in 95 minutes, making 2 shots, 5 key passes, 1 big chance, 45 touches, 3 dribbles, 1 tackle and completing 26 of 28 passes.
After all, this match was a great demonstration of what this youngster can do when he works on his songs, and why the club spent so much money on him in the summer.
That said, although Gittens currently holds Hazard’s old record, it would be unreasonable and unfair to expect him to match the Belgian’s other achievements, as he remains one of the greatest players to ever represent Chelsea.