After Diego Costa picked up a one-match ban for his fifth yellow card in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, many fans and pundits expected £33 million summer transfer Michy Batshuayi to make his first Premier League start against Bournemouth.
Many were disappointed when Antonio Conte released a line-up for that included an attacking trio of Eden Hazard, Pedro, and Willian, leaving no room for the young Belgian striker.
Conte’s lack of faith in the forward has fans concerned with his progress after the hefty transfer fee paid this summer.
Batshuayi started well this year with an assist and a goal in the sides first two Premier League fixtures. After coming on in the 85th minute, Batshuayi set up Costa for a dramatic 89th-minute winner against West Ham in the Premier League opener.
In the next match, he was brought on in the 72nd and scored the equalising goal against Watford in the 80th minute, setting the stage for another late Costa winner.
A brace in the League Cup only added to his burgeoning reputation. Batshuayi further ingratiated himself to the club’s fans through his cheerful presence on Twitter. He has been known to communicate with fans, slap down haters, and even take a shot or two at Arsenal on the social media site.
Twitter: Congrats @Bradleysfight
already the same number of goals as me hahaha!!!
Hope you will be the PL goal of the… https://t.co/CBHcb7Ti55 (@mbatshuayi)
But with Chelsea’s exit in the EFL Cup at the hands of West Ham game time has been limited for Batshuayi. It is in this regard that Chelsea’s year long hiatus from European competition has been felt most. The group stages of the Champions League has previously served as a stomping ground for the introduction of fresh-faced academy graduates and recently bought players.
Batshuayi, along with Branislav Ivanovic and Oscar, have been some of the biggest victims of Chelsea’s successful switch to the back three. With the new formation only utilising one striker, Batshuayi’s opportunities were always going to be limited, with Costa in his best form since arriving in England.
That is why Chelsea fans were finally hoping to Batshuayi unleashed from the beginning of the game against an opponent ripe for the taking, particularly in the absence of Chelsea’s in-form Nathan Ake, currently on loan at Bournemouth.
After the 3-0 victory, Antonio Conte explained his reasoning for fielding Hazard out of position at the expense of Batshuayi.
We have to continue to work with (Michy) every day to try and improve him, and get him in the best position to help us. I think Michy Batshuayi is a really good player, but he is young. I try to make the best decision for the team.
While Batshuayi who wasn’t subbed on until after Pedro’s late second goal in the 93rd minute is surely disappointed, he should take solace in the fact that Conte still values his presence in the squad. The Italian head coach told reporters that he would not allow Batshuayi to leave on loan in January.
