The debate rumbled on over the weekend over whether Willian meant to score his goal at Anfield. The Brazilian looked to shape up to cross to the back post, only for the ball to loop over Simon Mignolet and drop into the back of the net. Willian insists he meant to score the goal, but others suggest it was a mishit cross and you feel compelled to believe the latter camp. The ongoing discussions, though, perhaps papered over what was another sub-par showing by Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko.
The Frenchman secured his long-winded big money move to the Blues back in July and big things were expected of the 23-year-old following a stellar season with Monaco. The midfielder was hugely influential alongside Fabinho for the French side as they stormed their way to the Ligue 1 title, pipping big-spending PSG to L’Hexagol. Monaco’s domestic success paved the way for a Stade Louis II exodus, with Bakayoko one of four first-team regulars to depart Monaco over the summer.
Disappointingly, Bakayoko signed injured after knee surgery and, as a result, missed out on the full pre-season programme for the defending champions. That being said, he slotted in somewhat seamlessly when called upon for his debut in the 2-1 win over Tottenham back in August, but as the season has progressed, fatigue looks to be catching up on the France international.
A series of niggling injuries has also stunted his development in England and while he will improve over time, his continued selection is having a negative effect on both player and club. This culminated in arguably his worst Chelsea performance of his career in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Anfield. As the most advanced of the central midfield trio in Antonio Conte’s XI, Bakayoko struggled to link the midfield and attack, with a pass success rate of just 78.8% a poor return for a player in his position and of his ilk.
The former Monaco man 'kicks-off' their game against PSG 👀
While he’s not one to routinely retain possession, Bakayoko was also unable to offer any sort of creativity in the final third. The youngster failed to make a single key pass or complete a dribble in the stalemate and it wasn’t too much of a shock to see him hauled off with 13 minutes remaining. With the games now coming thick and fast and Chelsea doing all they can to defend their Premier League title, albeit to little effect given Manchester City’s flying form, there is no room for passengers, nor sentiment.
With Danny Drinkwater also now back at full fitness, Conte has ample midfield options coming into the festive period. This affords plenty of room for rotation, which presents an ideal opportunity to rest Bakayoko, starting with the welcome of Swansea on Wednesday. Conte, of course, could view the meetings with the Swans as the ideal opportunity for Bakayoko to return to his best form rather than risk denting his confidence further by dropping him from the XI altogether.
Yet, with Tottenham and Manchester United both in action on Tuesday night, three points are of the utmost importance for the Blues on Wednesday. It’s a real catch 22 for Conte who needs to manage his squad accordingly in order to keep morale up, but to continue their good form as the year draws to a close. That being said, Bakayoko hasn’t looked at his best since suffering a suspected groin injury in the 3-3 draw with Roma, though managed to soldier on in that draw.
Chelsea have favourable matches against out of form pair Swansea and Newcastle in the coming days before their welcome of Atletico Madrid in the final Champions League group game next week and it could be that now is as good a time as ever for Conte to rest Bakayoko and allow for the Frenchman to recharge his batteries. A player of his calibre will undeniably return to his best form, but in the long term, a run of games out of the starting XI would do Bakayoko the world of good.
