Will Faulks, Chelsea News , external
If you ever wanted proof of the benefits of competition in top-level football, look no further than Chelsea over the past few weeks. The return of players from injury has elevated the whole group.
The evidence is there all over the team. Nowhere is that more clear than in attacking areas. They have gone from a situation where Nicolas Jackson is struggling to score and Armando Broja is injured, to one where both strikers are alternating goals game by game, and Mauricio Pochettino has a decision to make every week.
Out wide, Mykhailo Mudryk made the left-wing position his own, only for Raheem Sterling to come in on Saturday and single-handedly win the game. It is easy to see the pair duelling for starts all season now.
At right-back, Malo Gusto’s presence has so far been vital as a Reece James replacement, but with the England full-back now available, we can hope to see both pushed to new heights. The same is likely to be true in central defence, where Benoit Badiashile’s return will ensure Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi are playing for their jobs each week.
Cole Palmer has taken advantage of Christopher Nkunku’s long injury absence, but when the Frenchman is back, that is another desirable headache for Pochettino.
Even in goal, it feels a matter of time before one of the young signings from Major League Soccer is given a chance to impress and put pressure on Robert Sanchez.
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