Cesar
Azpilicueta clenched his fists together in celebration as the final whistle
sounded at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's season has been all about their young
players so far. On this occasion, however, it was fitting it was their
captain's goal which made the difference.
This game had been billed as a test of character for the club's academy
stars. A place in the Champions League last 16 was at stake and the pressure
was on after a poor run of form. In the end, though, it was the older heads
in the team who guided them through - albeit by a fine margin.
Frank Lampard knew it was a night for experience and it showed in his team
selection. There were three changes from the 3-1 loss to Everton and each
one saw a younger player replaced by an older one. In defence, Andreas
Christensen and Reece James made way for Antonio Rudiger and Emerson. In
midfield, Mason Mount dropped out for Jorginho.
Rudiger's return was particularly welcome. The Germany defender has been
missed this season, particularly at Goodison Park on Sunday, where
Christensen and Zouma were dominated by more physical opponents, but he has
put his injury problems behind him now and Chelsea's defence looked far more
secure with him at the heart of it on Tuesday night.
Loic Remy's late goal ensured there was no clean sheet. But Lille did not
threaten at all until that point and it had a lot to do with Rudiger.
He provided the leadership Chelsea's defence has lacked lately and looked
assured from the start. The fans sounded their appreciation when he won an
early foot race with Thiago Maia. There were roars of delight at one
crunching tackle on Remy shortly before half-time.
Zouma clearly benefited from the presence of a more experienced centre-back
partner alongside him, and while there was one late lapse from Rudiger - a
loose touch which allowed Remy to spring forward on the break - this was an
impressive overall performance for a player making his first start since
September - and only his second of the entire season.
Either side of Rudiger and Zouma, Azpilicueta and Emerson fared similarly
well, pinning back Lille's wide players for long periods, keeping their
composure late in the game and even combining for what turned out to be the
decisive goal, when the latter's corner was headed home by the former.
Jorginho ran the midfield. The Italy midfielder has been in and out of the
Chelsea team lately, but he has been talked up as a "leader" by Lampard this
season and this performance was another example of his value to the side. As
well as the usual probing passes, he made more tackles and interceptions
than anyone else, helping Chelsea keep Lille under pressure.
Jorginho was ably supported by N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic, who combined
to ensure Chelsea did not miss Mount's guile, and while it was Tammy Abraham
who scored the opener, the striker was one of only two players in the team
under the age of 25 along with Christian Pulisic.
Those two have been rightly praised this season, becoming talismanic figures
in Lampard's side and scoring 19 goals between them in all competitions, but
Willian is just as important to Chelsea's attack and that was evident again
against Lille.
Nobody created more chances or had more shots than the Brazil international.
While he turned 31 in August, the turn of pace which allowed him to pick out
Abraham for the first goal was a reminder that he has lost none of his
explosiveness. The pinpoint crossfield pass to set up a chance for Callum
Hudson-Odoi in stoppage time was another individual highlight.
It is young players like Hudson-Odoi who have won Chelsea so many admirers
this season, but it was the older heads who were needed on Tuesday night.
Now facing a Champions League draw which will pit them against either Paris
Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Barcelona or RB Leipzig, Chelsea are
sure to need them again in the knockout stages.
top