Chelsea’s top 3 players in the crucial win at Brighton

Chelsea are on course for European qualification after beating Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 on Wednesday night.
The Blues sat 11th in the Premier League as recently as March, but a run of form towards the end of the season has put them back in contention for the Europa League or Conference League.
Goals from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku put Mauricio Pochettino’s side on top at the Amex Stadium, before captain Reece James’ red card opened the door to a late Seagulls comeback. Danny Welbeck pulled off one of the club’s stops in stoppage time, but Chelsea held on to secure victory.
Here are three Chelsea players who have excelled on the south coast.
Despite Chelsea not competing in Europe this season, Cole Palmer managed to register 41 goals – 27 goals, 14 assists – this season.
Even if you factor in the fines, that’s an incredible amount of involvement.
Despite the Blues’ various problems on and off the pitch, only two players in Chelsea’s history – Didier Drogba and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – have bettered Palmer’s tally of 22 Premier League goals in a single season.
Palmer’s recent work saw him head home Marc Cucurella’s cross into the far corner. Find yourself a man who can do it all.
With them now just eight points adrift of the Premier League’s Champions League final, it’s hard not to wonder what Chelsea’s season could have been had star signing Christopher Nkunku’s campaign not been hampered by injury.
The 26-year-old could help ease the goal-scoring burden often placed on Palmer’s shoulders, and with Pochettino’s penchant for getting goals out of his best strikers, you’d think he’d come in at a time when Chelsea weren’t doing well. in the last third.
Malo Gusto impressed Nkunku with his club goal and unleashed his trademark balloon celebration in front of the traveling fans. Chelsea will certainly be hoping to see that more often next season.
Chelsea’s backline has undergone some unexpected changes this season.
Ahead of the campaign, full-back James was named team captain, with left-back Ben Chilwell vice-captain. As the season draws to a close, you have to ask yourself if it should be your first choice.
Cucurella, who eventually slotted into a reverse role and provided an assist for Palmer’s opener, cemented Chilwell’s role in his absence, and James’ biggest problems remain his fitness levels and discipline, picking up a red card for a foul. kick Joao Pedro.
Chelsea have been fortunate that one of their best signings in recent years in Gusto has been able to reliably fill in for James, and if their captain ever leaves Stamford Bridge, it would be good to be without him.
Gusto’s assist – his ninth of the season – for Nkunku saw him race past Simon Adingra before picking out his compatriot to break the deadlock, the French connection Chelsea fans have been wanting to see for months.
READ THE LATEST CHELSEA NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND GOSSIP
Source link