Jamie Carragher has criticised Ben Chilwell for wasting a great attacking opportunity in Chelsea’s 3-0 win against Luton Town.
Ben Chilwell had the chance to shoot during a Chelsea attack in the second half of the match but tried to pass the ball to Raheem Sterling instead, only for it to be cut out.
Speaking during Sky Sports‘ live coverage of the Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge, Carragher said: “I can’t believe what I’ve just seen. I mean, I was talking about Ben Chilwell’s role in an attacking sense and it looked like he was going to make me eat my words. Drives through, I mean, that is unbelievable.”
Discussing the wasted opportunity again a bit later in the match, the Liverpool legend went on to add: “I mean, that’s awful, it really is.”
Thankfully for Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea were not made to pay, with a goal from Nicolas Jackson and a brace from Sterling guiding the Blues to their first victory and three points of the season.
Beating Luton was all that mattered
It obviously would have been great if Chilwell, who cost his club £50m, was able to make more of that opportunity, but the most important thing was for Chelsea to win.
While it is early days, after dropping points against both Liverpool and West Ham United in their first two games, Chilwell and his team-mates would have come in for heavy criticism if they failed to beat Luton.
Rob Edwards’ side have just been promoted, while Chelsea have spent so much money during this transfer window. Anything other than three points would not have been acceptable.
Thanks to Sterling and Jackson, though, they were able to avoid a disaster and have something to build on when they welcome Nottingham Forest to Stamford Bridge next Saturday.
Before then, Pochettino’s men face AFC Wimbledon in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
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