Chelsea FC: David Luiz received a red card against Arsenal after making a rash dangerous tackle meaning he’ll be out for three games. But his ban is a blessing in disguise.
Chelsea FC defender David Luiz has received a three match ban after a bad tackle on Sead Kolisinac but his ban will mean Danish center-back Andreas Christensen will get a chance to showcase his ability.
Andreas Christensen displayed his worth in Chelsea’s game against Spurs earlier on in the season when David Luiz was deployed in the midfield. Christensen showed exactly why he should be picked in that game after a dominant solid display in the center of defence.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell away for German Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach for two seasons and is deemed ready for the Blues squad after developing nicely there.
Christensen made 61 league appearances for the German club after proving his worth in the first team.
He also had an amazing pass success rate of 91.5% making him the third best in the Bundesliga in 2016/17 for passing (Whoscored).
Additionally, he’s improved on that pass rate this season, albeit only from 3 appearances and one start though, with a 94.4% pass success rate. The Danish defender simply does not lose the ball once he’s on it and looks up to pass. He will be a calming influence from the back when Chelsea FC travel to Stoke next week where I highly suspect he will start.
In fact, Conte admitted in an interview after the Arsenal game that Christensen will likely start in place of Luiz.
"“Christensen is a very young player but I think he is a good player and I trust him.“Now he has the possibility to play and now he has to prepare very well to play.”"
He also had an impressive performance against Quarabag in the Champions League where the Blues won 6-0.
His high passing success rate bodes well for his claim for the central center-back role in Chelsea’s back three. He’s calm and composed on the ball and is able to play out from the back with ease, making him the perfect replacement for David Luiz.
Chelsea’s recent disappointing 0-0 draw with Arsenal showed that they struggled to play out from the back when pressured and Luiz was unable to make any significant passes to free up the midfield. Christensen will be able to do this.
To be fair, Luiz has played fantastically for the Blues, but his ban will mean Christensen will be able to make a claim for a place in the first team. I believe it will be hard for Conte to drop him again once he’s shown what he can do.
More from Chelsea FC
- Tuchel has eyes on Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah
- Permanent move of Cobham graduate Lewis Hall to Newcastle United
- Chelsea are not pleased with the Lukaku-Vlahović swap deal
- Chelsea joins the race against Liverpool for Romeo Lavia
- Blues select Reece James as captain and Chilwell is new vice-captain
What this means is that Chelsea will be able to play more comfortably from the defence and distribute the ball more effectively. The recent game against Arsenal showed that the Blues struggled to play out from the back and Luiz had a torrid time trying to find his teammates with a highly intense Arsenal midfield.
I suspect that Christensen will be undroppable after Luiz comes back but I believe what could and should happen is that Gary Cahill, who plays on the left, will be dropped and Luiz will be shifted out to the left while Christensen will take the central role.
Ironically, last season, when Chelsea FC first faced Arsenal and lost 3-0, Conte switched things up and changed to a back three in the second half. This proved to be an inspired decision as the Blues romped their way to the League title afterwards. Perhaps, Arsenal could once again help Chelsea win the title if Luiz’s red card is indeed a blessing as it allows Christensen a chance to shine.
Next: Chelsea's over 30 policy is hurting the club
Chelsea FC will face Stoke away this weekend while also competing in the League Cup midweek. Christensen should start those two matches and should also start against Manchester City in October. If all goes well for the young Dane he should make a strong claim for a starting role this season.