A fair result for a very even game. Chelsea welcomed a Stoke side who had previously done a league and cup double over them earlier in the season, to Stamford Bridge in a highly anticipated fixture, where the spectators were not left disappointed. An end-to-end game that kept the fans off their seats for a whole 90 minutes. But in all fairness, it was not Chelsea’s best. Average performances by players left the Blues to set back in an attempt to defend their lead, but yet again to no prevail. Despite the wonderful job Guus Hiddink has done at Chelsea, we are lacking wins at home.
It was a brave decision to rest some key players, and putting trust in Bertrand Traore must’ve made him feel good. The Burkina Faso international was given the opportunity to prove himself in the Premier League with his second start in a row, grabbing it with both hands, bagging himself a stunning strike in the 39th minute. But in all honesty, he struggled a bit getting knocked off the ball constantly, but it was a promising performance for the young striker.
I have seen one particular player receive a lot of hate on social media, and that is Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The young midfielder has struggled to get game time recently and hasn’t played since January 31st which has clearly haltered his development. He was brought on to play in behind the striker, but it’s evident that this is not his position. I am a huge fan of Ruben, and believe will become a quality player, but he just needs a set position in which he can develop in. He is 6’3 and should be a holding midfielder. The club fans are comparing him too much to the Spurs wonderkid Dele Alli, when they are two completely different players. People were quick to change their opinions on Loftus-Cheek which is unfair. The new manager will realize his true position and make him one of the best in the league.
Despite being a great end-to-end fixture, many Chelsea players need to have a look at themselves in the mirror tonight after many horror shows. Azpilicueta was constantly turned over, Courtois conceded yet again from a mistake, Remy looked uninterested when coming on, Mikel was complacent, Matic was his usual self, Willian seems to be on the decline, Baba struggled yet again against Shaqiri and Oscar simply offers nothing to the team. I’d be worried about Wednesday if I were a Chelsea player.
It was a shocking performance by the players but also the referee as well, it is fair to say that Mark Clattenburg ‘bottled it’ today. Stokes Eric Pieters should’ve been sent off for a second yellow card and Chelsea should’ve had a penalty after Oscar was bundled to the floor by Marc Muniesa.
Stoke scored in the latter stages of the game, after Courtois parried a cross straight for Mame Diouf, who placed the free ball into the net to tie the match five minutes before the end. On overall the team needs improving, maybe a change in formation.
With the one point from the match, Chelsea stay on the 10th place in the league table, with the chances to make finish top four are almost nonexistent. Chelsea will return to European football on Wednesday as they counter Paris Saint-Germain on the second leg of the Champions League’s round-of-16.