Chelsea were able to get over the line after extra-time with a 4-2 win over Wrexham, and below are five things we learned from the game.
Liam Rosenior’s rotated side were second best for the majority of a tricky evening in Wales, however quality prevailed after the 90 minutes were up.
Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro carried on their good form with the winning goals for the Blues, who await to see who they will face in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Funny how it’s an issue when it’s Chelsea 🤔
Thoughts?
Micah Richards on disallowed Wrexham goal vs Chelsea
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Here’s five things we learned from Chelsea’s unconvincing albeit determined victory against Wrexham.
Five things learned from Chelsea 4-2 Wrexham
Romeo Lavia is going to need time
There was a first start since the start of November for Romeo Lavia in midfield after a handful of minutes off the bench in the previous two games.
Lavia scored just a 3/10 in our player ratings, and struggled badly with his weight of pass despite Chelsea dominating possession.
Rosenior defended his midfielder in his post-match media duties, but it looks like it will be a while before we see the Belgian from the start for Chelsea again.
Chelsea player ratings vs Wrexham 1️⃣-🔟
Who was the best and worst performer?
Chelsea player ratings vs Wrexham with Joao Pedro clapping the fans
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea need to sell Tosin Adarabioyo
Handed the captain’s armband tonight, Tosin Adarabioyo struggled up against Championship level strikers in Sam Smith and Kieffer Moore.
Blues fans have had frustration towards their most experienced outfield player already this season, however were given a painful reminder of how he is not fit to be a centre-back playing regularly at Stamford Bridge.
With young guns Mamadou Sarr and Josh Acheampong coming through, Chelsea should look to move on from Tosin as soon as possible.
Joao Pedro is a superstar
Chelsea’s ability to maintain control of the game only really came upon Pedro’s introduction to proceedings late on.
Fresh off a hat-trick against Aston Villa, the Brazilian scored with the last kick of the game to put the tie to bed, keeping up his electric form under Rosenior.
The boss recently put him in the same bracket as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. If he keeps up these levels, maybe more will get onside with that thought.
FBL-ENG-FACUP-WREXHAM-CHELSEA
Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images
Alejandro Garnacho needs to start vs PSG
It has been a great week for Garnacho after he starred against Villa midweek, with him being the key man throughout the 120 minutes against Wrexham.
The winger played a key role in their first goal, before firing home a sweet volley to give them the lead for the first time.
It looks like the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 is going to be too soon for Estevao Willian, and if that is the case then Garnacho has to be named in the starting XI against PSG.
Filip Jorgensen is now Chelsea’s Number One
Robert Sanchez had the chance to respond to being dropped on Wednesday when he was thrown back into the starting side to face Wrexham.
What followed was some very poor positioning for the opening goal, as well as more dodgy passing out from the back that put his side in danger.
Filip Jorgensen is under no pressure as a result of that game for his place in the side, and should be back between the sticks on Wednesday night.
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