The
Telegraph's Matt Law says there were encouraging signs for Chelsea in
their 5-0 win over Huddersfield, with Gonzalo Higuain proving key to
Maurizio Sarri’s system.
Higuain scored twice - his first goals for Chelsea - as the Blues returned
to winning ways with a much-needed 5-0 victory over Huddersfield.
The striker, who was making his first home appearance since joining on loan
from Juventus, also linked up well with Eden Hazard, who scored in either
half, leaving Sarri delighted by the partnership building between Higuain
and Hazard.
And Law, speaking on the
Sunday Supplement, thinks Chelsea showed
clearer signs of 'Sarri-ball' on show at Stamford Bridge on Saturday with
Higuain up front.
"What you could see on Saturday, even though it was against Huddersfield,
was that with Higuain, with a proper striker, you could see how the system
is meant to work in the attacking areas," he said.
"All season they'd either been playing with Eden Hazard as the false nine or
Alvaro Morata. The whole system was basically falling down.
"You could only get so far with pass, pass, pass, pass and pass. Then there
was no movement from whoever was playing through the middle and it would
fall down in the attacking areas. In a lot of matches they weren't really
creating a lot of chances.
"So, albeit against Huddersfield where you could have probably played in any
system and won the game quite convincingly, you got a look and a feeling of
how the system is now meant to work with a proper striker.
"Hazard started on the left but he was playing very close to Higuain, almost
like a partner, and it wasn't breaking down any more. They, along with
Willian, were working in tandem and they were creating chances.
"They looked dangerous. For that style of football it was very encouraging
for them."
Gonzalo Higuain's partnership with Eden Hazard showed promise in Chelsea's
5-0 win over Huddersfield. Adam Bate looks at the stats...
Law, who is Football News Correspondent at The Telegraph, was also impressed
with the performance of Ross Barkley, who set up Hazard's second goal in
Chelsea's much-needed win over Huddersfield.
He thinks Barkley gives Chelsea an extra dimension in attack and deserves an
extended run in the side alongside Jorginho and N'Golo Kante.
"I thought he was excellent," Law told Sunday Supplement.
"A lot has been made of Jorginho and his role but, when it is Kante,
Jorginho and Kovacic, it's a very stuffy midfield three. There's not a lot
of creativity there.
"Jorginho goes sideways, Kante's actually getting used to his role very well
but Kovacic is another up and downer. He doesn't score or assist, and I just
think with Barkley in there they've a got a little bit more attacking
impetus.
"They've got a little bit more magic in there and I thought he ran the
midfield. They should stick with him for a while now."
top