As is the way since Liam Rosenior arrived as Chelsea manager, there is no time to celebrate a win. As soon as the Chelsea players left Selhurst Park, focus will have switched to Napoli.
Sunday’s away win over Palace, albeit a beleaguered Palace without Marc Guehi and under a manager set to leave, was Liam Rosenior’s most-convincing of his four wins. A top display against the FA Cup winners.
Apart from an early Benoit Badiashile mistake early on, and a late onslaught which resulted in a surprise Palace goal, Chelsea were inch-perfect for 75 minutes. Estevao was superb, earning Wayne Rooney praise.
Two 9/10’s and an 8/10 for Enzo… Do you agree with our player ratings? 🔥
Four wins out of five for Rosenior!
FT: Palace 1-3 Chelsea
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But for one player, the win over Palace might well have been his best display in a Chelsea shirt, even if he went completely under the radar. Andrey Santos was sensational in the middle of the park against Palace.
Andrey Santos now has to start against Napoli, for two reasons
On Sunday, Santos produced more defensive contributions (15) than anyone on the pitch. He was joint first for duels won (7), he made more interceptions (6) than anyone else, and joint-second for tackles (3).
But as aforementioned, focus switches to Napoli. Rosenior has not made less than five changes between games so far and rotation is expected. Cole Palmer, though, is unlikely to start having missed Sunday.
Andrey Santos v Palace.
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
There are two reasons that £18m Chelsea signing Santos must start against Antonio Conte’s side and the first is that Chelsea must be pragmatic. Under Rosenior, Chelsea have conceded five goals in five games.
Just two clean sheets. This is a side that boasts a fit-again Romelu Lukaku, an in-form Serie A Player of the Season Scott McTominay and plenty of others. Chelsea need to be solid, before they attack Conte’s men.
Playing two defensive-minded midfielders who can retain possession is an absolute no-brainer. Caicedo, obviously, starts. But instead of putting a more attack-minded Enzo next to him, Santos would be better.
The second reason Santos has got to start against Napoli
Having Santos play in midfield against Napoli alongside Caicedo means two other players play in their best roles. Under Rosenior at least, Reece James has had much more of an impact on the right flank.
Pedro Neto on Andrey Santos:
“Andrey Santos was unbelievable, we need this type of performance when there are lots of battles. It’s always good to come back from the break with a win, we are looking forward to the big games.”
Pedro Neto
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In midfield, his talents are lost. But out wide, James has impressed. Against Palace, Enzo starred in the 10 role with Palmer missing and it feels unlikely Palmer is not going to get a start when Chelsea travel.
Having Santos in the starting line-up alongside Caicedo, gives Enzo the freedom to shine as a box-to-box no.8, or even a 10 when Chelsea attack. Santos shows on Sunday why Rosenior must start him at Napoli.
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