[ad_1]
SEVILLE, SPAIN – DECEMBER 2: Olivier Giroud of Chelsea scores the second goal to make it 0-2 during the UEFA Champions League match between Sevilla v Chelsea at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuan Stadium on December 2, 2020 in Seville Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante / Soccrates / Getty Images)
Chelsea entered Seville with a rotated team hoping for a result, but the Blues blew everyone’s socks during a huge victory in Spain.
Chelsea traveled to Spain after having secured a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League. This meant that Frank Lampard was able to rotate his team. Regardless, Blues fans argued that it was important to win the group and that message surely reached the squad. Despite lining up a close backing side, Lampard’s men destroyed Sevilla from the start. Olivier Giroud was magnificent and the defense was rock solid. Chelsea take the winner of Group E, but here are four of the lessons we learned in the match:
1. Olivier Giroud is Chelsea’s best striker
This is more of a reminder than a lesson. Think back to the heady days of Project Restart. Giroud was miles ahead of Tammy Abraham in the battle for the forward role, putting together a streak of excellent form that propelled Chelsea to a top-four finish and an FA Cup final. It seemed that each match only served to widen the gap between the two.
One would have expected that hierarchy to carry over into the new season. Instead, the arrival of Timo Werner blew up the status quo, stripping Giroud of his well-deserved starting role. Werner’s versatility as a wide forward or center forward gave Lampard some difficult decisions to make, initially choosing to place Werner as the focal point. For the moment, he seems entrenched as a left-wing forward, leaving center position open. Abraham has been chosen for that role in recent weeks, with an admirable performance, although with minimal returns.
On Wednesday, however, Giroud showed what a more confident and experienced center forward can do. Recorded the exceptionally rare perfect tour: left foot, right foot, head and penalty fee. Note that this was not against some continental minnows from unknown parts. Even with a bit of rotation, Sevilla are not a joke. Julen Lopetegui has built a solid team that is tough to beat and was on a five game winning streak until he ran into a beautiful French Sierra.
Of course, it’s easy to overreact to a single performance, especially one in which a player scores four goals. But it’s impossible to look at Giroud and not realize all the things he does better than Abraham right now. Goals are one thing, but his ability to stand tall and manipulate defense in a game that was increasingly violent is something that can only be won with years of experience. Abraham could very well get there, but there’s no question that Giroud simply brings more to the table right now.
What’s terrifying about all of this is the prospect of you packing your bags and heading elsewhere in just a month. However, after Wednesday’s performance, Lampard should be on his knees pleading with Giroud to stay for the rest of the season. It’s that good, and Chelsea is at its best when leading the line.
[ad_2]
