Chelsea are winning 1-0 at half time against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
It’s a well deserved score line. The Blues are all over their opposition, and if they hadn’t gone in ahead they would have been truly full of regrets after they dominated with a really impressive showing.
Whirlwind Caicedo patrols midfield
Enzo Maresca with Moises Caicedo.
Enzo Maresca with Moises Caicedo. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
While they lacked the final touch they needed in attack, their midfield dominance was total thanks to Moises Caicedo in particular. He was imperious in winning the ball whether Villa went long or went short, and was the most effective player in progressing the ball forward for his team.
When other Blues took too many touches or hit sideways passes, Caicedo was always pushing the ball forward with force. It didn’t always come off, but when it did it got attackers like Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Cole Palmer into the most dangerous positions possible.
Caicedo made an impressive 9 recoveries as he patrolled midfield hoovering up loose balls. He completed 43 of 46 passes, with 8 of them being into the final third. That was joint most of anyone on the pitch.
If he keeps up his level in the second half, we will walk away easy winners. But we can only expect Villa to improve, and we need others to step up to Caicedo’s level to make sure we keep them at bay.
In other news…
Reece James’ wicked corner was turned in by Joao Pedro to open the scoring for the Blues in this game, a well deserved goal for the team who had dominated the game throughout.
Enzo Maresca admitted ahead of today’s game that he was frustrated that people were still talking about his comments from a couple of weeks ago relating to a lack of support within the club.
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Enzo Maresca with Moises Caicedo.
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Moises Caicedo in midfield.