Chelsea should be preparing contingency plans in case of the departure of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid this summer, with one of the club’s budding starlets ready to fill the void left by the influential Belgian.
The decision by Maurizio Sarri to leave out his superstar forward, Hazard, came as a shock to everyone. In a crucial game as this was in Germany, Chelsea were expected to put out their best team.
They did to a large effect, but leaving out Hazard was a big statement by the Italian manager who later explained he had the Belgium attacker’s interest at heart.
“For a player that has 70 matches in a season, starting him from the bench is a normal reaction” – BBC Sport.
Hazard’s absence in the team meant Chelsea were without a potent creator in attack, with Willian and Pedro possessing directness in their arsenal than trickery.
However, Ruben Loftus-Cheek stepped up and completed nine take-ons against Frankfurt, the most by any player on the pitch.
As reported by Squawka, the 23-year old has attempted 66 take-ons and completed 40 of them this season in the Europa League.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek completed nine take-ons against Eintracht Frankfurt, no player has completed more in a #UEL or #UCL knock-out match this season.
Dancing in Deutschland. 🕺 pic.twitter.com/KOGlcKH8nH
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 2, 2019
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That makes him another one of Chelsea’s most dangerous players and would come in handy when the likes of Hazard are longer wearing the blue shirt.
Hazard is the man who continually drives Chelsea up the pitch with his unique ball-carrying ability. If he departs, that’s a baton Ruben can pick up!
