It is advantage Tottenham in the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final, with Spurs overcoming a spirited Chelsea side 1-0.
The Blues will feel encouraged for the second leg, yet there are serious signs they may be wasting Eden Hazard’s prime.
For the first time since 1963 Tottenham have won three on the bounce against their London rivals, pointing to a power shift in the capital.
A crowd of 44,000 witnessed a feisty encounter at Wembley, with Spurs performing admirably in defence against a Chelsea side unwilling to surrender. Yet for a club of Chelsea’s stature, grit and desire are nowhere near enough.
Blues manager Maurizio Sarri opted to play his Belgian wizard in a false nine position, flanked either side by starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi and Willian Borges da Silva. Despite his undoubted ability, Hazard is not a natural striker, nor should he be. His lightning-fast feet and rocket of a right foot are far better suited to playing out wide.
In February Hazard himself admitted as much, saying, “I prefer to play [out wide]. But it’s the manager who has the final word. On the wing I feel more comfortable. That’s my place”.
It is his place indeed. Remember why Chelsea were at Wembley in the first place.
Hazard’s outrageous winner against Liverpool in September should serve as a potent rebuke to anyone who questions the winger’s rightful position. Receiving the ball on the right, Hazard slalomed some 20 yards, fooling two Liverpool defenders before blasting an unstoppable strike into the Liverpool net.
Against Tottenham under the burning semi-final lights Hazard cut a lonely figure up top. Unable to have a decisive impact on the match, the Belgian somehow had the most successful dribbles and key passes. This says a lot about where Chelsea are at right now.
Hudson-Odoi scared the life out of the Spurs backline with his guile and directness, yet he may be off to Bayern Munich for £35 million (A$62 million). Positivity amidst looming uncertainty. Perhaps a broader metaphor for the 2016-17 champions.
The perpetually imminent exit of Chelsea’s star man was fuelled in the aftermath of yesterday’s match by former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas.
“I think he is too good for Chelsea,” said Jenas. “Chelsea are obviously a top, top side, but I think he has outgrown them. I think he has outgrown his position within that team.”
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, file)
The Belgian has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid and as recently as October said, “Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I don’t want to lie, it is my dream since I was a kid.”
Ex-Tottenham star Luka Modric left for Spain at a similar age to Chelsea’s No.10. The now Ballon d’Or winner has excelled since departing London for Madrid. Jenas believes the time has come for Hazard to do the same. “He needs to move on. He is above a level of everybody else that is around him.”
Speak of those around him and Sarri has two lamp post, I mean striking, options: Olivier Giroud and the hopelessly misfiring Alvaro Morata.
Within the Premier League this season Chelsea have scored 38 goals, with Hazard contributing to 19 of those himself through ten goals and nine assists. In contrast, Giroud and Morata have contributed 13 combined.
Chelsea’s desperation to fix this problem reeks of panic usually reserved for relegation-threatened sides. English reports today hint at a possible £50 million (A$89 million) bid for Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson.
You can almost hear the sniggering from top-six rivals. Oh, how Chelsea fans must wish for Diego Costa back.
For those screaming hyperbole, take a look at Chelsea’s last visit to England’s national stadium. A 3-1 battering at the hands of Spurs. The Blues astonishingly managed just two shots on target for the game’s entirety.
Looking for more recent examples? Take the home loss to Leicester in December or the 0-0 draw against a weakened Southampton seven days ago. This is a side far off the recent heights of Antonio Conte’s title-winning side or even Jose Mourinho’s 2014-15 champions.
Indeed Chelsea started off the season in blistering form and find themselves fourth in the Premier League standings. Currently they are only two goals away from a League Cup final.
Alas, they must not fall for the same illusions those at Old Trafford did. A trophy which sees most Premier League sides play their reserves cannot satisfy the burning ambition of a particular Belgian or a club typically ruled by ruthlessness.
This side remains ten points off leaders Liverpool and remain light-years away from the trophy-laden teams that travelled to Merseyside for their annual Champions League semi-finals.
Remove Eden Hazard and this is an 11 mightily struggling for honours of any kind. Roman Abramovich and company must act quickly before this becomes a very real nightmare.
Patrick Djordjevic
Roar Rookie
I agree there is a bedding in process fifty lashes. I am not pinning everything on Sarri. There needs to be more of a harmony between the manager and his bosses. Sarri is not being backed by the board and as such they are doing a disservice to Hazard. I still think he will leave, however with Madrid flailing in La Liga we will have to wait and see.
Patrick Djordjevic
Roar Rookie
I think it is a matter of when not if, Mark. It would indeed be a triple figure sum, however it is a treacherous path selling your best player. Can work for you sometimes e.g. Liverpool with Coutinho's sale. However, let's not forget how Liverpool fell to pieces without Suarez and proper investment. Chelsea would be risking a similar scenario if Hazard was indeed Madrid bound.
Patrick Djordjevic
Roar Rookie
I think he's gone past Chelsea now. Needs to move to a level above.
Patrick Djordjevic
Roar Rookie
Appreciate your response Harry. Well thought-out and happy to take on board any criticism. Hazard has been "fine" as you say at false nine. I personally don't think he's been anywhere near as effective as he can be out on the flank. Granted, there are issues with the midfield. Whilst the Tottenham game was a close fought-encounter, Chelsea very rarely looked like threatening. They're lacking a prolific striker, someone who can cause problems with their movement and link up with Hazard. I think Sarri needs to be questioned for the forward choices. Anyone can see Giroud and Morata are not up to it. They are below a Chelsea standard of talent. Seemingly, there is disconnect between Sarri and those above him. Yes this is Sarri's first year in charge and in certain ways he is performing at an adequate level. My question is when has 4th place and not challenging for major honours been an acceptable achievement under Abramovich? 13 managers in the past 10 years alludes to a ruthlessness from the Russian oligarch Liverpool signed Van Dijk in January of last season and Arsenal landed Aubameyang. I think if you splash enough cash, you can just about get anyone in the window. I think given Hazard's generational talent and the club's resources they should be doing far more. Otherwise they risk losing him to Madrid. I think personally he'll be gone by the summer. Ensuing a more problematic rebuild. I think Chelsea as an entirety are not doing enough to support and build on a once in a generation star. However, if they can hold on to the Belgian and then spend wisely, the blues could be within a shout.
Mark
Guest
If Hazard does want to leave, Chelsea would be absolutely mad not to sell. They could get around 100m and invest that in improving the rest of the squad. Wait a year and they get nothing.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Hazard could play at any of the top teams in the world.
Fifty Lashes
Roar Rookie
It is Sarri's first season in charge and there was always going to be a few growing pains. Chelsea dominated Tottenham in the first leg of the semi and were unlcuky to come away with a 1-0 loss to a controversial penalty. Jurgen Klopp has had three years to put his stamp on Liverpool and although he has clearly made an improvement he hasn't won anything yet. My money says Eden Hazard will still be in a Chelsea shirt next year, Real Madrid would have made a bigger push for him last year if they really wanted him.
Harry
Guest
I don't agree with this analysis, it's unnecessarily alarmist. Hazard has been fine at false 9, and it's a position that allows him to use more of his goal threat. The main issue is that he has to drop deep often because the midfield aren't pushing up far enough. Kovacic and Barkley are guilty of this in particular, Kante is trying but there's only so much he can do with his offensive limitations. In addition, Willian can't cross to save his life, which reduces Hazard's effectiveness. At least Hazard moving centrally allows Willian to play on the left where he's better. And the defence has been solid as always, only undone against Spurs by an offside goal and faulty VAR. Not all that much needs changing, just Callum to start regularly, a winger to push Willian to a higher level, another midfielder for more creativity. Plus maybe an upgrade on Alonso but it isn't urgent. No good strikers are going to move in January and Hazard is fine where he is. You're also unnecessarily alarmist about where Chelsea is in the table. This was never going to be a title-winning or even title-contending season when facing the sheer talent of City or the chemistry and stability of Liverpool. Sarri is remaking the team to his liking and it will take time to bed down the tactics and acquire the right players. Conte caught lightning in a bottle by surprising the league with a new tactic, until it got found out the next season. The same expectation shouldn't be placed on Sarri. Getting a Champions League spot should be the goal and Sarri has done well in this pursuit. CL qualification has a funny way of healing a lot of ills. Chelsea have no obligation to sell either Hazard or Callum in the summer, and they can make a serious title bid next season with them and a squad that has built more chemistry together.