March 10, 2018
Chelsea secured a much needed win on Saturday evening as they beat Crystal Palace 2-0.
After the “walking” performance at Manchester City, there was a real verve about Chelsea.
Perhaps it was due to the return of N’Golo Kante, or thanks to Eden Hazard not playing in a false nine role and being deployed behind Olivier Giroud.
In the build-up to the Crystal Palace home game, Antonio Conte had warned Eden Hazard that he might be deployed as a false nine again.
Perhaps as early as Barcelona away this coming Wednesday?
Willian opened the scoring. A Martin Kelly own goal made it 2-0. Patrick van Aanholt scored in the final seconds.
Whilst Chelsea have plenty to play for in the Premier League and FA Cup, the match at the Camp Nou this coming Wednesday is enormous.
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Barcelona are strong favourites to defeat their Premier League opponents.
On Saturday, Giroud started the match and was very impressive. Despite the fact Alvaro Morata is considered Chelsea’s first choice striker.
Giroud was super unlucky not to score against Crystal Palace, thanks to some fine blocks by the Crystal Palace defence and goalkeeper.
The former Arsenal striker was withdrawn on 72 minutes with many Chelsea fans hoping Giroud was being rested to start in the Camp Nou.
This feeling was accentuated when Morata came on, got booked and generally failed to impress yet again.
As a result, the message from Twitter, as can be seen below, was pretty clear:
I don’t care what others think. I want Giroud against Barcelona rather than Morata!! #chelseaFC #CHECRY
— Ahmed Kayyal (@KayyalAhmed) March 10, 2018
I hope Giroud starts instead of Morata against Barcelona.
— Basmah (@BasmahBam) March 10, 2018
Alvaro Morata on for Olivier Giroud.
A really very good performance from Olivier Giroud. Disappointed for him, he really deserved a Goal. A proper Center Forward’s display from the Frenchman. Hoping he gets to start against Barcelona. #CFC #CHECRY— ➑ ➑ (@Siyadha) March 10, 2018
I want to believe Giroud coming off means he’s starting against Barcelona
— Alli O.G (@Onflood_) March 10, 2018
Only a fool will bench giroud against Barcelona.
— JohnBriggs (@Mr_wayd) March 10, 2018
No false 9 against Barcelona please. Hazard, Willian and Giroud
— Yaks (@yaksSarina) March 10, 2018
Giroud needs to start for Chelsea against Barcelona.
— The Real Feitan (@Boikobo_) March 10, 2018
Source: https://www.101greatgoals.com/top-stories/chelsea-fans-convinced-giroud-morata-debate-barcelona-away/amp/