Week 12 Match Review: Leicester 1 - Chelsea 2
Another international break in the books, another injury to Chelsea’s ailing captain (more on that below). The Blues headed north to Leicester and did exactly what they were expected to do: pick up a win. The visiting supporters sang songs about the return of former fox Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Wesley Fofana… and Ben Chillwell, who wasn’t even on the bench for the match… AND N’Golo Kante, who no longer even plays in England. In a game that included a laugh between Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke after the latter accidentally blocked a gimme goal for the former, it’s safe to say that it’s good times all around for Chelsea at the moment. Well, mostly at least.
What Was Good
Nicolas Jackson Has Become the Striker Chelsea Need
Remember when Chelsea sent multiple representatives to Italy to attempt to secure a last-minute loan for Victor Osimhen just before the start of the season? Man, does that feel like a lot of Nicolas Jackson highlights ago. Jackson has become, with the exception of the unbridled bliss of Marc Cucurella, the most confident player on the pitch for the Blues and his goal against Leicester was a perfect example of his transformation into one of the strongest finishers in the league. He essentially muscles his way down the last third of the pitch, receives a short pass, and flicks the ball past the keeper with a fantastic outside poke for a goal that felt inevitable from the second the whistle blew. It’s taken time, but Jackson’s progress might big Enzo’s most impressive accomplishment so far.
Well Well, Benoit Badiashile Is Still Here
Between Tosin’s arrival in the offseason, Fofana’s return from injury, and Axel Disasi being viewed as the more physical and versatile of the two former Monaco defenders, Benoit Badiashile has been the oddest man out this season. Yet, playing alongside Levi Colwill against the Foxes, he looked like he’d been the day-one starter all season. While I fully expect Fofana to be the number one pairing with Colwill against the top competition (he oddly played right back in this match), it’s great to see Badiashile slide in and completely occupy the space on the right side of the backline. This team needs established depth as the season progresses and maybe BB will be the guy to really cement himself as CB option three.
Enzo Maresca’s One Big Happy Family
It’s still hard to define what “Maresca-ball” truly is – especially with Robert Sanchez hanging on between the pipes and playing out from the back – but whatever tactics he’s using both on and off the field appear to be working. Chelsea is winning the games the team should and staying competitive in those matches against more established competition. Going into this weekend, the Blues are currently tied with Arsenal for third and only a point back from ailing City. After such a tumultuous and erratic few years, it’s genuinely nice just getting to see them play consistently and fluidly. Yet, there might be one problem on the horizon…
What Was Bad
Christopher Nkunku Continues to Be MIA
Everyone’s favorite balloon-obsessed celebrator is playing very well for France as the starting number 10. He’s the leading scorer in the Conference League tournament that Chelsea appear ready to absolutely steamroll, and he’s in his prime. Unfortunately, Cole Palmer has become Chelsea, which was undoubtedly not part of the plan when the Blues bought Nkunku several years ago from RB Leipzig. At one point, he was viewed as the future offensive engine of the team, but now he appears to be the odd man out. Hopefully he’ll be satisfied dominating teams from Georgia and Kazakhstan this season as he rebuilds his reputation after some grueling injuries, but it’s only a matter of time until he wants more and that just doesn’t seem likely under big Enzo at this point.
All Quiet On the Palmer Front (But This Time with Laughs)
Cole Palmer continues his sabbatical away from scoring as he tries to figure out how to break away from every team’s man-marking scheme against him. That said, he was gifted a tap-in this week, only to be blocked by his right-sided teammate Noni Madueke after a bit of miscommunication. Luckily, since this was Leicester and Chelsea was in a comfortable spot, the two lads simply hugged and laughed it off. But still, it would be good to see Palmer back on the scoreboard sooner rather than later.
Reece James’ Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Leg
Reece James is one of the most exciting defenders in the league when he’s healthy, however, the amount of time that he can be considered fit continues to decrease by the season. After another suspected hamstring injury, James is out until further notice. Maybe he’ll show up this weekend or maybe we won’t see him until January. Regardless, it’s a shame and must be extremely tough on a homegrown player who expected to be deeply rooted as the team’s captain and leader by this point. Get well soon, 24.
What’s Next
Two excursions this week as Chelsea head to semi-rural Germany to play Heidenheim midweek, before taking a trip to Birmingham to face supremely inconsistent Villa on Sunday. The Villains are three points and five places behind the Blues in the table, so suspect Olly Watkins or Jhon Duran to do something nutty to send Sanchez into a stupor. Maybe Palmer will finally find his groove again? Tune in Sunday to find out.
