After a stellar performance for the England Under-21s, Tyrique George has received plenty of plaudits, including from manager Lee Carsley.
It wasn’t the most difficult of matchups on paper against Andorra’s U-21 side, but it was one in which Chelsea youngster Tyrique George got the chance to showcase his ability.
Fans liked what they saw from George, scoring the only goal before the stroke of half-time and sealing the win for England.
After the game, Lee Carsley had plenty of praise for the 19-year-old, and a clear idea of how Enzo Maresca should be looking to use him.
Lee Carsley has high hopes for George as a striker
Some weren’t expecting to see George leading the line on Monday night, but it’s a position he has played at Chelsea. His wonder-goal against Lincoln City springs to mind.
Tyrique George and Enzo Fernandez embrace after Chelsea's goal against Lincoln City.
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
But Maresca has only really deployed George up top when left with few options.
The England U-21 manager doesn’t see why he shouldn’t be given more opportunity in the position. After the game, Carsley (via SPTC) remarked: “He’s got the profile and attributes to develop into a traditional number 9. A lot of that development I would imagine will go on at Chelsea.
“He’s fast. He scores goals. He’s creative. He’s got good technique.”
Since Liam Delap went down, Maresca has pretty much solely relied on Joao Pedro, whose best position isn’t even as a sole striker.
Perhaps this performance, and Carsley’s stamp of approval, will give Maresca license to use George up top more often, to the displeasure of Marc Guiu, no doubt.
Chelsea need to reconsider summer intentions
George had one foot out the door this summer when Chelsea made it clear he wasn’t high on the priority list.
But maybe that decision needs to be questioned. This is a versatile young talent, the likes of which Chelsea love to recruit, but it feels like he’s been written off already.
George is just a year older than Estevao, and younger than Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens. He’s played better this season than the latter two, without a doubt.
Naturally, the speculation on George’s future will resume as we near the January window, but the question is — Should it?