We’ll start with the biggest story of the match, VAR. Everyone has their own opinions but the fact is VAR made calls on a possible red card and two goals. For me the kick by Harry Maguire on Michy Batshuayi has to be a red card. It’s not something that happened because he was playing and it endangered another player. He’s on his back and just kicks out his leg in to the delicates of Michy. Heung-Min Son got a red vs. Chelsea for a similar but weaker incident. Next are the two non-goals by Chelsea. First, Azpilicueta is pushed from behind and that’s causes him to push the united player in front of him. This is a soft fucking call. Let the guys fucking play. VAR is for clear and egregious errors. The call here should’ve been a foul on the United player for pushing Azpi. Baffling how VAR fucked that one up. The second goal is Oliver Giroud being offside by just a toe. In theory VAR did its job correctly, but then the question is raised “Do we really want every goal examined the centimeters?” I mean the guy does a fantastic job diving in front of the defender and redirecting the ball near post with a great header. Did that toe give him an advantage that you’d call missing it a clear and egregious error?
It’s just a shame VAR has been the headline of so many matches this season in the Premier League. It was brought to help the game but so far it hasn’t come close to achieving its intended goal. So bad that it makes me think they should take it away all together till they can figure it out.
Now to the game. I’d say the 2-0 score line doesn’t fairly represent the 90 minutes from today, but that seems all too familiar of a story with Chelsea this year. The match was physical and sloppy from both teams but with 62% possesion it was clear Chelsea had the better grip on the game. We had some real nice build up play and even looked sharp at times, but the problem would arise when we’d get to the United box (or just about outside of it). Holding on to the ball and controlling the game only to have no clue what to do in the final third is song that has been on repeat for this Chelsea squad. And when Chelsea finally did have a decent opportunity Michy Batshuayi made sure to be there to fuck it up. Too many times this year have we ended up losing games 0-1 or 0-2 when you could say we were the better side. It’s a position Eden Hazard would bail us out of time and time again in previous years, but he’s not here anymore and no one has filled that void. Hopefully Hakim Ziyech can help with that.
Let’s take look at the Chelsea players from today. Off the bat I want to mention three guys that actually showed up. Mateo Kovacic (7/10), Reece James (7/10), Mason Mount (7/10). The three played with porpuse and confidence, which can’t be said for everyone today. We’ll start with Kovacic, I can rave about this guy all day. He looks a world class player and can do it all. He should easily be the first name of the Chelsea team sheet the rest of the way. Wants the ball, knows no one can take it from him, and will be aggressive to get it back. I was honestly upset the rest of the team didn’t player better for him. The one critique I have of him is he’s just not a natural goal scorer, but not many people in the team can raise their hand for that either. Next, let’s talk golden boy Reece James. Holy shit this kid is good. Game after game the guy puts in a great performance, unfazed by who he’s up against. The 192-pound 20-year old unit looks more than comfortable being Chelsea’s starting right back, where he should be for the next decade. Finally, Mason Mount. For me there shouldn’t be anymore critics of Mason after today. He came on for an injured N’Golo Kante after just ten minutes, making that 25 PL appearances out of a possible 26. The energy he brought to the pitch was something Chelsea was short on today. Pressing hard on defense and when he has the ball looking to push play down field. Was unlucky to hit the post on a nice free kick. There’s a lot of negativity and frustration from todays game, but at least you can say these three put in their share of hard work.
I’ll get straight to it. Michy Batshuayi. I think most British fans would refer to him as a FRAUD. He is payed millions of dollars to put the ball in to the back of the net. That’s his job. A job which he failed horribly today, over and over again. Chelsea had some clearcut chances, that if Tammy Abraham was in, he would’ve scored them. Fuck, Giroud probably would’ve scored them as well. Oliver looked a way better player in the twenty-plus minute cameo he made. Scoring a great diving header, which was ruled offside by half an inch or so (Fuck you VAR). Back to Michy, he looked slow and just out of it. Deer in the headlights. Every time the ball came his way it was an automatic turnover. That is really the last time I want to see Batshuayi in a Chelsea shirt, Giroud should be our back up striker until further notice after what we saw today. Disgusting performance from Michy, so sell him in the summer because he’s proven he can’t play here. 0/10
Willy Caballero was pedestrian at best between the sticks and was nowhere to be found on the goals. Hopefully we can see Kepa out there on Saturday (Not that he’s been some world beater this year). 3/10
Rudiger honestly had a good game putting out fires and when he got the ball looked to create something, although he did get beat by Maguire on the second goal. 6/10
Christensen, who has been solid of late just seemed out of place every time United came his was and was beat by Martial on the first goal. He was taken out at halftime because of a nose injury. 4/10
Azpilicueta was solid at the back and gave what he could going forward, but it is a huge disadvantage with that right-footed left back. The year is 2020 and Cesar Azpilicueta is the best left back on the roster. That should not be happening!! I love Dave and think he is a great captain and he really does love the club, but how did the board not bring in a real left back in January? 6/10
Jorginho seemed off today, and didn’t make his presence felt controlling the game. The little times he did attempt a long ball they were off target. Just seemed too disappear for most of the 90. 5/10
Willian played well but didn’t do enough for someone wearing the 10. Besides a left footed shot that was bit wide, his biggest moment today was a yellow for simulation that could’ve been given the other way. If he runs in to the United defender leg instead of hopping over it that’s a free kick for Chelsea. 6/10
Pedro brought energy today although its not always used correctly. One of his better games for us as of late, but that’s not saying much. Biggest moment for him was dribbling the ball all the way back and giving it to Fred before tackling him outside the box for a United free kick (Which Bruno Fernandes almost scored). I am tired of seeing him start for us, and hope he’s sold in the summer. 5/10
Zouma came on after the break for Christensen and played well. Had a goal wrongly taken away by VAR. 6/10
Giroud played miles better than Batshuayi like I said before. For a slow old man he looked more than serviceable and got involved in the game. 6/10
Chelsea have been dangling on to fourth place for longer than deserved and the only reason we’re still here is because it seems no one else wants it. Week after week we’ve had chances to build a gap between the suitors below us, and week after week we fail to do so. Chelsea have won only four of its last fourteen Premier League matches, including loses to West Ham, Bournemouth, Southampton, and Newcastle. That is not good. The players need to respond to this with a great performance on Saturday because for me that is the most important game of the season so far. Tottenham sit just one point behind us and to lose another game and to rivals at home would be demoralizing. The squads needs to take today as a wake up call.
KTBFFH.
Sad Atlanta Fan 