Chelsea analysis: More misery for Alvaro Morata while Ethan Ampadu shows he might benefit from midfield role

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Simon Johnson13 December 2018

Chelsea dropped points for the first time in the Europa League this season after they were held to a 2-2 draw against Vidi.

Willian opened the scoring with a fine free kick before Ethan Ampadu nodded past his own goalkeeper minutes later.

The Blues trailed after a stunning second-half volley from Loic Nego but Olivier Giroud spared their blushes with a stunning free kick of his own.

Simon Johnson was pitch-side in Budapest to provide analysis for Standard Sport.

Injury concern for Alvaro Morata

As bad as Morata has played in a Chelsea shirt, the knee injury he sustained in Hungary tonight is a blow.

The Spain international suffered a problem late on in the first half when he directed a cross from Callum Hudson-Odoi towards the near post.

He collapsed in agony, which is par for the course as far as Morata is concerned, except this time he was genuinely hurt.

Morata limped off in the first-half.
Action Images via Reuters

After receiving a bit of treatment, he headed straight down the tunnel and Olivier Giroud replaced him at the restart.

With the busy Christmas period ahead, Sarri could be going into it with just one recognised forward in Giroud if Morata's diagnosis rules him out for a while.

Sarri can use Eden Hazard as a 'false nine' as he did against Manchester City, but it's not ideal. Perhaps the desire to buy in January will increase too, although Giroud showed he is in confident mood with a superb free kick to spare Chelsea from defeat.

Still early days but perhaps Ethan Ampadu is better in midfield for now

On his first start of the season, Ampadu suffered the ignominy of scoring an own goal.

This will not have been the kind of impact the teenager would have wanted to make with Sarri bound to study his every move.

It appeared to be an instinctive reaction to a MOL Vidi corner being flicked on at the near post and he stuck his head out, only to divert the ball past Willy Caballero.

Action Images via Reuters

Ampadu clearly has quality. He exudes confidence on the pitch, particularly with the ball at his feet.

There were occasions though where he looked uncertain when the opponents attacked.

Chelsea don't seem to know what his best position is between being used in midfield or at the back.

At this stage of his career though, one suspects he'd be better protected playing in the centre.

Second string don't take their chance

Players will always say they find it hard to be motivated for games or give 100 per cent when there is nothing at stake.

Chelsea's squad certainly found themselves in that position here having already progressed to the last 32 of the Europa League as group winners.

AFP/Getty Images

But a number of players picked had a chance to make a statement to the coach that they should feature in bigger contests to come.

But too many went through the motions and didn't look that enthused to be playing in freezing conditions.

Callum Hudson-Odoi tried to make things happen on the wing and looked dangerous, but without the end product to go with it.

Like Giroud, Willian can at least leave Hungary with fond memories of his sublime free kick, which put the visitors in front.

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