Chelsea’s star attackers got all the credit last night, but two central players kept things ticking over nicely for the Blues.
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The standout players from last night’s win over Aston Villa were very clear.
Joao Pedro got three goals and has been praised to high heavens by his manager, pundits and fellow players.
Alejandro Garnacho got a chance and a redemption game of sorts, menacing Villa down the left all game.
Cole Palmer got an open play goal and looked good pulling the strings in the final third. But there were less heralded showings further back that provided the platform for these attackers to shine.
Chelsea’s spine keep the ball and keep play flowing
In what was a very open game, two Chelsea players managed to keep the ball and regulate the tempo at crucial moments.
According to stats site FotMob Trevoh Chalobah had 89 touches, the most of any Chelsea player, and completed 76 of his 80 passes, miles clear of the next player in the game.
That player was Moises Caicedo, who had a quiet game off the ball by his standards but was still outstanding on the ball. He completed 56 of his 58 passes, and added an amazing 5 of 5 long balls completed too. His 7 passes into the final third were joint second in the game with Reece James.
Chalobah and Caicedo two provided a really solid spine to the team which gradually strangled Villa’s chances and create so many opportunities for Chelsea to attack on the break -which they did in vicious fashion.
In other news…
Garnacho’s efforts earned a lot of praise from Liam Rosenior, and may have earned him a start this Saturday too.
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Moises Caicedo in action against Leeds.