Chelsea career saved? Hakim Ziyech delivered a man-of-the-match display on Sunday
(Picture: Getty Images)Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech showed a will to fight for their Chelsea futures despite being under more threat than ever.
The Blues duo combined for the goal that helped their side break a run of three consecutive defeats to beat Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Ziyech, who many predict could soon leave west London, was exceptional and his whipped cross was headed in by Havertz in the 64th minute.
They produced that moment with Mykhaylo Mudryk sat in the directors’ box watching on after his whirlwind 48 hours signing for Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk.
The 22-year-old was bought under the noses of Arsenal for £88million to become his club’s third-most expensive signing of all time.
Mudryk’s signing was announced during the first half and he came out onto the pitch at the interval draped in a Ukrainian flag.
His arrival, alongside that of Joao Felix on loan, has left the Blues open to selling several attackers this month including both Havertz and Ziyech.
It follows a period where Chelsea have been woeful in terms of both chance creation and goal scoring. Havertz is Chelsea’s top scorer this season but has just six in all competitions across 26 appearances. The Blues as a whole have just 22 league goals after his headed effort today.
Before kick-off, Chelsea were the fifth-worst team in the division for non-penalty expected goals, showing their weakness in creating chances. In his defence, Ziyech has often been overlooked this season but produced a man-of-the-match display at Stamford Bridge.
He could be an answer to his side’s problems as Mason Mount and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struggle for form amid injuries to Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic. His colleague Havertz wasted several big chances here but ultimately stole the headlines by proving the match-winner.
The duo can't get away from their roles in a terrible season which sees Chelsea in 10th place, 10 points behind fourth-place Manchester United and out of both domestic cups.
They were, however, pivotal in finding a way past their London rivals which could revive the team and take some pressure away from manager Graham Potter.
They may have not only saved Chelsea’s season, but also saved their futures at the club before the new signings begin to take over.
