Peter Crouch hinted that there were three players in particular who perhaps ought to be getting more minutes in the Chelsea first team after impressive displays in the Conference League.
The Blues beat Heidenheim 2-0 in a clash that was not quite so dominant as the 8-0 thrashing of Noah last time out, but still a fairly comfortable result, despite the hosts twice having goals chalked.
Chelsea went in at the break not winning for the first time in the competition this term, but Christopher Nkunku scored just six minutes after the restart to get the visitors ahead.
Heidenheim though threatened to draw level again, but the offside flag denied them an equaliser before Mykhailo Mudryk scored a first-time stunner to make it 2-0 on 85 minutes.
It was a strong showing from Chelsea’s second string side, who have largely been consigned to the Conference League as Enzo Maresca rotates his side to keep them fresh, but there were some who impressed more than others according to Crouch.
First of all, he was quick to pick out Manchester United’s on-loan forward Jadon Sancho, who looked to be showing the confidence and guile that saw the Red Devils splash the cash to bring him to Old Trafford in 2021.
Chelsea beat Heidenheim 2-0 in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night in Germany
Christopher Nkunku scored his 11th goal of the season shortly after the break to make it 1-0
Mykhailo Mudryk then struck five minutes from time to double the advantage and make sure of the points
‘He’s involved in a lot, he’s got such quick feet, just get the ball to his feet, the trickery, he’s got the creativity, seems to pick the right pass,’ said Crouch on TNT Sports.
‘When he’s confident he’s as good as anyone. Fantastic player, great feet and he seems to always pick the right pass. He’s a defender’s nightmare.’
He added: ‘Really intelligent player but he’s getting up to speed. He’s had his illness, his injuries, lack of playing, but when he’s fit and playing well and confident this is what he can do.’
Joe Cole, too was enamoured with what he saw from the England international, noting that he was ‘fantastic’ at time in southern Germany.
The second player to catch Crouch’s eye on the night is Chelsea’s top scorer in all competitions Nkunku, who struck his 11th of the campaign on Thursday night, but has largely struggled for minutes in the Premier League.
The Frenchman opened the scoring, and had a good night in front of goal in general, his link up play with Marc Guiu, Sancho and Mudryk was smooth for the majority of the game, although he did miss a decent chance to double his tally before getting injured.
As such, former England and Liverpool striker Crouch felt that the player was perhaps unfortunate not to be a more regular feature in Maresca’s first-team plans at this point of the season.
‘It’s a beautiful finish, in these areas he’s so calm and he’s so unlucky not to be playing because he’s a fantastic player,’ claimed Crouch.
Jadon Sancho was involved in both goals, assisting Mudryk’s second on an impressive outing
Nkunku is Chelsea’s top goal scorer this season despite struggling for minutes in the Premier League
Peter Crouch suggested the French forward was ‘unlucky’ not to be playing more regularly
On the night of his 11th strike of the campaign, Cole was quick to add: ‘There’s zero panicking.
‘His stride doesn’t change in front of goal when there’s a shot to be taken he’s so smooth and clean, he’s a goal scorer.’
In fairness, Chelsea have found the goals fairly easy to come by this term under Maresca, with only league leaders Liverpool (24) and Tottenham (27) outscoring the Blues in the top-flight this term.
But Nkunku’s form is surely becoming difficult to ignore as he continues to punish sides in the Conference League.
Yet the heaviest praise from both pundits was reserved for Swedish-Danish goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who faced a staggering 11 shots on target but kept a clean sheet nonetheless.
Chelsea’ glut of goalkeepers means they technically have five shot-stoppers in the first team at the club, though only Jorgensen and Robert Sanchez have been used thus far.
The Spanish former Brighton goalkeeper though has assumed No 1 status and has played the majority of league games under Maresca, though his spot could be under threat following Jorgensen’s showing in Germany.
Crouch was naturally quick to fan the flame, underlining that Jorgensen’s consistency could, like Nkunku, make him a difficult player in the dressing room for Maresca to ignore at this rate.
Enzo Maresca’s second string side have given him plenty to think about following their 2-0 win
Filip Jorgensen kept a clean sheet in southern Germany despite his side facing 11 shots on target
He will perhaps be pushing for Robert Sanchez’s No 1 spot after another consistent display in goal
‘Chelsea didn’t have it all their own way tonight, they had to rely on Jorgensen quite a few times and I think he deserves a shot,’ he said.
‘I have to say there’s been a lot of talk about Sanchez, there’ve been a few mistakes he’s looked nervy at times, every time I’ve seen him (Jorgensen) play he hasn’t put a foot wrong.’
Indeed, Cole hinted that there were a fair few fans at Stamford Bridge who would rather see Jorgensen in the Premier League than Sanchez.
‘Jorgensen as well played very well tonight and there’s a lot of Chelsea fans who’d like to see him as the No 1.’
He added: ‘He’s one of them goalies you don’t hear his name, nothing flashy he gets the job done, good hands.
‘What’s interesting is it’s been a canter for Chelsea but he’s faced a lot of shots so he’s getting tested and producing moments, good positioning, consistently. He’ll be pushing for a start as well.’