No disrespect to Ziyech because I think he is a very good player, but this is the type of signing I expect to see from Chelsea from now on. Not Maddison or Sancho, where everyone wants them and the wages, especially in the latter's case will be astronomical, but experienced players arriving for reasonable fees and wages. I don't think they have the pull they once did and, more importantly, I think Abramovich won't cough up like he used to.
That's a little deceptive. It doesn't show the couple of unnecessary fouls he gave away; one, in particular, on Muller which was downright stupid. It also doesn't show any of the headers he lost to Lewandowski from goal kicks or long balls. And there were a few. But, most importantly, it doesn't show the penalty kick he gave away that was overturned by VAR because there was an offside in the build-up; Lewandowski did a little Cruyff-turn and Upemecano swiped his legs away like he was a Gabriel or Mustafi superfan performing the ultimate tribute.
He also did some very good things throughout, as the video shows; passed well, carried it well, stood strong physically, and had some vital blocks and interceptions, even if some of them were a little chaotic. On the subject of Upemcano:
[Twitter]
[Twitter]
I think he has some work to do in order to become a top player, but he has strength, speed, athleticism, technical quality, and a lot of fight and confidence, even when up against Lewandowski and the like. Could become some player in the right environment.
