Here are my three thoughts on Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Juventus in the UEFA Champions League, our Game of the Mid-Week: • USMNT players were everywhere in Champions League today. Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic and Juventus’s Weston McKennie both started in a big UCL game today, part of a group that also included Tim Weah (Lille) vs. Brenden Aaronson (Salzburg), Jordan Pefok (who scored for Young Boys vs. Atalanta) and John Brooks (Wolfsburg). Pulisic was less a false 9 for Chelsea in this game than a true 9. And while that makes sense given Romelu Lukaku not being back at 100%—Pulisic has a knack for anticipation in the box—it still doesn’t seem like Pulisic’s best position. On a day when other Chelsea players scored, it’s a bit unfortunate that Pulisic wasn’t one of them, though he did do a lot of things that were helpful for his team and got a rousing ovation from the Stamford Bridge faithful when he came off. McKennie, for his part, had some good moments at the start but wasn’t able to sustain them in a one-sided game for Chelsea. It’s not like anyone else from Juventus could say any better for themselves.
Grant, Pulisic looked like a middle school kid playing against men today. He’s most effective making runs, and especially on the wing, where he has space to take guys on and run *into* the middle. And you’re right: he has terrific anticipation. But he got lost among the trees as a #9. He did do some good things, but is *clearly* more effective elsewhere on the field.
I thought McKennie was one of Juve’s best players today. His mis-hit gaff gave Chelsea a goal, but since when is he the right back? Where was the D? He broke up several Chelsea attacks, and was usually in the middle of Juve’s.
You’re right - Chelsea are better than last year. More consistent. I thought at the time that signing Thiago Silva was a brilliant move. They had a pretty inexperienced coach (Lampard), Kepa in goal, and were “playing the babies”. Having a very experienced head in the center of the D was just what they needed. Playing him in the center of a 3-back increases his effectiveness at his age. His goal line clearance today changed the game.
Grant, Pulisic looked like a middle school kid playing against men today. He’s most effective making runs, and especially on the wing, where he has space to take guys on and run *into* the middle. And you’re right: he has terrific anticipation. But he got lost among the trees as a #9. He did do some good things, but is *clearly* more effective elsewhere on the field.
I thought McKennie was one of Juve’s best players today. His mis-hit gaff gave Chelsea a goal, but since when is he the right back? Where was the D? He broke up several Chelsea attacks, and was usually in the middle of Juve’s.
You’re right - Chelsea are better than last year. More consistent. I thought at the time that signing Thiago Silva was a brilliant move. They had a pretty inexperienced coach (Lampard), Kepa in goal, and were “playing the babies”. Having a very experienced head in the center of the D was just what they needed. Playing him in the center of a 3-back increases his effectiveness at his age. His goal line clearance today changed the game.