London is Blue Dispatch #089

An intense round of international fixtures meant that multiple Blues featured in key games across the world, so here’s a dispatch update on how our players fared and what’s up next before they return home for a crucial game against Tottenham.

Marc Cucurella

Perhaps enduring the most grueling minutes of any Chelsea player this far, cult hero and paella/estrella enthusiast Marc Cucurella played the full 90 minutes in the first leg of the Nations League game vs Netherlands before playing the full 120 at the Mestalla in the 2^nd leg. Up against two fullbacks on the same wing in Jeremie Frimpong and Lutsharel Geertruida, the Spanish international fared well and in the first and did decently in the second and Spain advanced on penalties after a scare in extra-time.

Moises Caicedo

Player-of-the-season contender and occasional captain Moises Caicedo continued an excellent run of form, delivering another wrecking-ball display in the center of midfield for Ecuador’s vital victory over Venezuela in the South American WC qualifiers. 8 out of 10 duels won underlined another resilient display as Ecuador rose above Brazil to second place, behind Argentina, and now face Chile in another key encounter.

Enzo Fernandez

The Argentinian maestro was used further forward in what is now starting to be a regular position for him over his preferred role but had a subdued game in a narrow win over Uruguay. The Argentinians sit high and mighty on the top of the qualification table and must now face bitter rivals Brazil in a crunch encounter in a few days’ time.

Pedro Neto, Renato Veiga, João Felix, Geovany Quenda, Filip Jorgensen

Pedro Neto returned to his customary right wing slot for the 1^st leg against Denmark but failed to prevent the Portuguese from crashing to a 1-0 defeat. On loan Renato Veiga played at left centerback next to Ruben Dias and showed moments of quality which were clouded by conceding a penalty that led to the Danes’ winning goal. Neither of the two were in the squad for the 2^nd leg, which ended in a tense 5-2 win in extra time. Felix, Quenda and Jorgensen were on the bench for both games but finished as unused substitutes.

Reece James, Levi Colwill, Armando Broja

The reign of Thomas Tuchel, much adored in these parts for his contribution to Chelsea folklore, began with a regulation 2-0 win over Albania. Exactly two years after his last appearance in a Three Lions kit, Reece James returned to the England fold, coming on for Myles Lewis-Skelly in the dying moments of the game. Levi Colwill was an unused sub on the bench, but may start of Newcastle’s cup hero Dan Burn. Armando Broja, on loan at Everton, came on just after the hour mark for Albania.

Willian Estevão

Chelsea’s newest wonderkid made the bench against Colombia but did not come on as the Selecão snatched victory in the 99^th minute thanks to a Vinicius Jr. goal. Fellow compatriot Andrey Santos, one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1 this season, was curiously not called up for these fixtures.

U19/U21s

Josh Acheampong captained the England U19s to a promising win over Wales U19, capping an impressive display with an assist. Tyrique George, Kiano Dyer and Shim Mhueka also started, with the latter grabbing one of England’s two goals. Shim was also the only one of the trio to start the next game against Turkey U19s, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Mathis Amougou came on as a sub in France U19s defeat to Spain, but then started a crucial next encounter against Latvia and helped them to a comeback win. Genesis Antwi played the full 90 for Sweden’s U18s game against Scotland, with the game ending a 1-1 stalemate.