Michy Batshuayi an argument to step up and replace the under-performing Alvaro Morata in Chelsea‘s first eleven despite the club’s interest in AS Roma hitman Edin Dzeko.
The Belgian didn’t get on the score sheet but was nevertheless impressive in his side’s 4-0 win over Brighton in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off.
Here, we focus on his performance.
Basic stats
Batshuayi
Goals – 0
Assists – 1
Shots – 4
Dribbles – 1
Passes – 23
Key passes – 1
Pass Accuracy – 60.9%
Touches – 37
Dispossessed – 3
Effectiveness
Chelsea started the game on fire, launching a string of decisive attacks with Batshuayi being the focal point.
The Belgian’s pace and movement had defenders scrambling as they attempted to keep up with the runs of Willian and Eden Hazard as well.
Perhaps the best facet of the 24-year-old’s display was his link up play with his fellow forwards. The front three were perfectly in sync and exhibited that to devastating effect with a sublime move for the second goal.
With the game effectively killed off in the seventh minute itself, the tempo predictably dropped and but Batshuayi still posed a real threat, forcing a save from Matt Ryan and putting another effort on the turn wide.
While he did fade out of the game in the second half, he kept running the channels and putting the defenders under pressure.
Michy Batshuayi (R)
Key moments
6th min – ASSIST: A brilliant piece of play from Chelsea sees Willian, Batshuayi and Hazard exchange one-touch passes. Hazard’s back-heel for Batshuayi is in turn back-heeled into space for Willian who rifles his effort home from just inside the box.
28th min – SHOT: Hazard drives forward and plays in Batshuayi inside the box who does well to cut inside onto his left foot but his shot is saved by Matt Ryan.
44th min – SHOT: This time it’s Willian who plays the ball into the Belgian. He turns and shoots with his left foot but it’s wide of the target.
Our verdict
His best work in the game was arguably off the ball, with his movement proving key for Hazard and Willian to shine. He combined well with the duo and showed great awareness to provide the assist for Willian’s goal.
However, he wasn’t as involved in the second half and ultimately, it’s goals that strikers are judged by and he didn’t threaten to get on the score sheet enough.
7/10
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com