Fernando Torres- Is he one of Chelsea's most important EVER players?

What can we learn from Chelsea's 3-0 win over Watford?

After Chelsea's midweek shambles versus West Ham, it was important for Chelsea to strike back with a win. Both Man United and Leicester secured victories pushing the Blues out of the top four for the first time since October 2019. 

But Chelsea managed to regain their 4th spot by defeating Watford 3-0. Goals from Olivier Giroud, Willian and a 90th minute goal from Ross Barkley, who all had influential performances. But after today's result, what can we learn from this win? 

Defensive issues solved?

It was clear that after Chelsea's 3-2 loss to West Ham, there were serious question marks on the blues nervous defence. For this game, Toni Rudiger and Marcos Alonso had both been dropped and fairly right too. They were both at fault for West Ham's late winner leaving Chelsea fans fuming. 

Replacements, Kurt Zouma and Reece James, were brought to the starting XI and what a difference they made. Azpilicueta pushed to the left is where he should start. Both him and James can get forward to create and also have the energy to get back, unlike Alonso. These two players MUST start the remainder of the season if we want to get top four. 

Kurt Zouma, in my eyes, is Chelsea's best defender. If Frank Lampard wants to continue about a lack of height his Chelsea side has, he now has no excuse. Zouma can't be beat aerially and is an attacking threat going forward too. He should be one of the first names on the team sheet alongside Andreas Christensen, who provided some vital blocks too. 

Giroud Chelsea's main man

At the start of the season, Olivier Giroud barely got a sniff in the team. Lampard favoured youth over experience, which to his credit did work with Tammy Abraham scoring 13 Premier League goals, but Chelsea had sometimes missed that maturity. 

Giroud was again left out mid week against West Ham, where Abraham appeared to look rusty. By the time Giroud came on, he had made a difference but it looked as though the damage had been done. 

For me, Giroud is the world's greatest target man. He may not get the amount of goals Jamie Vardy or Sergio Aguero gets but has a variety of qualities that other strikers don't. There is a reason France use him so much and that's because he allows others to express themselves more freely. 

Eden Hazard wasn't kidding when he said he preferred playing alongside Giroud and the reason why? His hold up play. "When he gets the ball he can hold the ball and we can go in deep with him, so for us it's a pleasure to play with him.". Olivier Giroud is a winger's dream striker! He sets them up and they knock em' dead. 

Summary

If Frank Lampard really wants to get the most out of this Chelsea team, he must start Giroud, Zouma, James and play Azpilicueta on the left flank.

Giroud brings players out of their shell and they feel a connection with him. Maybe the reason why Christian Pulisc has been in such hot form recently? If Chelsea get Champions League football, he will be the reason why. 

Zouma is the best centre back we have at defending and alongside Christensen at the back, these two can make a good partnership for the rest of the season. Reece James is fierce going forward and so is Azpilicueta, who picked up his 6th assist of the season.

If Lampard sticks with these players, I have no doubt we have the quality for Champions League Football.


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