After a shaky first half, Chelsea came back to beat Lincoln City and advance to the next round of the Carabao Cup, led by a quality Tyrique George performance.
Lincoln were hunting for a goal from the off, and they got it just before the break. They outplayed Enzo Maresca’s side in the first 45 minutes, and it was getting concerning for Chelsea.
But whatever Maresca said at half-time clearly sunk in, and the Blues came out hot, grabbing two goals in five minutes to take the lead against the League One side.
- READ MORE: Chelsea had doubts about Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele before making disastrous signing instead
The first goal was a screamer of a long-distance strike from stand-in striker Tyrique George. He would be involved again shortly after the restart, setting up Facundo Buonanotte for Chelsea’s second.
A dream performance from George, but it has Chelsea fans questioning two not-so-impressive performers.
Chelsea fans laud Tyrique George but call Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens into question
George had one foot out the door this summer, but due to a breakdown in negotiations, he remained at Stamford Bridge.
Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens were thought to be enough depth in the wide attacking areas. But this game painted George in the best light by far, and fans aren’t thrilled about it.
When the 19-year-old got his goal, it left Chelsea fans (almost) speechless. The power and technique were phenomenal.
One fan commends the strike: “Nice one, Tyrique George, that’s a stunner of a goal.”
Similarly, this fan says: “Jeeez Tyrique George, that goal was amazing.”
When the assist was added, it was more of the same: “Tyrique George, wow, the strike first then the assist. Sublime.”
This one is maybe a reach, asking: “Is it too late to award the Ballon D’or to Tyrique George over Dembele?”
But it didn’t take long for fans to ask themselves why George is looking like the best attacker on the pitch.
As this fan puts it: “Tyrique George coming to save the day once again. Ironic a Cobham lad does it when you’ve got several players bought for multiple millions on the pitch as well.”
If it wasn’t clear who they were referring to: “£90m on Gittens and Garnacho but Tyrique George, who we were about to bin for £20m, is the better player.”
It’s not just these two fans though. As another disgruntled spectator remarks: “I hate to say this but Tyrique George is better than Jamie Gittens!!! Involved in both our goals.”
Fans clearly haven’t been impressed with the summer arrivals, who failed to impact the game against a side who ply their trade in the third tier of English football.
George is encouraging, jury still out on Gittens and Garnacho
George is a talent. We know that.
But it was nonetheless unsurprising to hear him be linked away. It really felt like Chelsea had too many names in those wide areas. But George has done a job up front for Chelsea, and he could be on a route back into the side.
As for Gittens and Garnacho, they absolutely should have performed better in this game.
However, the whole team had a disaster of a first half. Chelsea created half the xG Lincoln did, and the side as a whole lacked any sort of chemistry or threat.
It’s still early days, but the pair are surely going to be monitored closely by fans who want to know they got their money’s worth.
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