Monday 15 August 2016 19:12, UK
Michy Batshuayi is expected to start the season on the bench, but can he still make a big impact for Chelsea? WhoScored.com look at the stats ahead of the Blues' Monday Night Football clash with West Ham...
When it was confirmed that Antonio Conte would take over as Chelsea manager following Euro 2016, many speculated that the Italian would make big changes, implementing a three-man defence that would allow him to deploy two strikers. Instead, it has been a quiet summer at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues only adding two new signings.
N'Golo Kante was the first, joining for £32m from Leicester, and the second was Belgian frontman Michy Batshuayi. The 22-year-old, who scored 17 Ligue 1 goals in his final season at Marseille, rejected Monday's opponents West Ham as well as a number of suitors across the continent to join Chelsea. But while Kante has been a regular starter in pre-season, Conte's persistence with a 4-2-3-1 system has limited Batshuayi's starting chances.
While reports consistently link Diego Costa with a move away from Stamford Bridge, the former Atletico Madrid man remains the Blues' primary front man. And with Conte largely opting for a lone striker, Batshuayi has had to settle for an impact role. Indeed, all five of his appearances in pre-season have come from the bench, which hints at what's to come for the Belgian this season.
Batshuayi hasn't underwhelmed, though. While he's yet to hit the back of the net for his new team, the youngster provided two assists in his last three pre-season outings and has worked hard for the team. "Eat grass" was Conte's maxim at Juventus and it's one he is keen to implement at Stamford Bridge, with Batshuayi one of many who is evidently taking to the Italian's physical demands.
As an impact sub, Conte couldn't ask for much more from the Belgium international, assisting his team both on and off the ball in the final third. "I have a perfect relationship with the coach," Batshuayi said of his new manager last month, which is a clear indication that he is happy to play a part from the bench for the time being.
Given Costa's previous injury concerns, the arrival of another striker hungry to impress his new manager is certainly a boost. A lack of a quality back-up hindered Chelsea at times last season, as Loic Remy, Alexandre Pato and Radamel Falcao were hardly sufficient stand-ins for a side that harbours title aspirations. To put it bluntly, Batshuayi is a significant upgrade on the trio.
He's not adverse to having to play second fiddle, either, having been utilised as a reserve frontman for Marseille in the 2014/15 season. Nineteen of his 25 league appearances that year were as a substitute, and he has a useful habit of making the most of his time on the pitch when he is introduced from the bench.
Indeed, no player has scored more goals as a substitute than Batshuayi (nine) in Europe's top five leagues in the last two seasons. There was even a goal off the bench for Belgium against Hungary at Euro 2016. He might feel disappointed not to be first-choice having started 32 of 38 league games for Marseille last term, but adequate time to acclimatise to the physical rigours of the Premier League is crucial.
His impact from the bench could well be vital when Chelsea kick off their season against the Hammers on Monday. Slaven Bilic courted Batshuayi for some time before his move to Chelsea, and West Ham's loss could prove to be the Blues' gain. The east Londoners have conceded in all but two of their eight games this summer, after all.
It's the opportune encounter for Batshuayi to open his Chelsea account, if he is utilised from the bench as expected. Against a tiring West Ham defence, whose competitive season started last month, he could provide the injection of pace and power they need in the latter stages.
Rather than playing the role of conventional target man, Batshuayi is a striker who favours the ball into feet or in the channels. He gives Chelsea something different, and opposition defences could struggle to cope with his tenacious approach this season, starting with West Ham on Monday Night Football.
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