While Chelsea are rumoured to replace potentially doping-banned Mudryk with Kvaratskhelia or Tel, one academy graduate is starting to make their mark on the first team – Tyrique George.
Starting on the left wing against Morecambe in the third round of the FA Cup marked his ninth senior appearance. Those unfamiliar with his game may have been somewhat unimpressed so far, but he does have one goal and five assists for the U21s in 8 appearances this term. Today he showed the senior side viewers what he can do.
The numbers are good, even if it is League 2 opposition: 5 chances created, 2 assists. 88% pass accuracy, 3/5 successful take-ons. But what does he actually do?
Well, with 75 touches, you can see that his teammates trust him, and he’s not creating endless turnovers like Chelsea attackers in the previous couple of seasons. The first half was relatively slow, but steady, with lots of passes inside to Felix, who was playing the left 10 position. His combination play looked mature, and reminiscent of a former blue, Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Being doubled teamed against a stubborn low block is difficult for any winger, let alone one so young, on the verge of a genuine breakthrough. Here is where some of the improvement lies; he didn’t force the issue like in previous appearances. Move wide or drop in to find separation, receive, pass and move again. Simple. It may not have paid off initially but as Morecambe tired he came into his own.
Later in the half he shows some variation, combining wide and flashing a fantastic cross low into the six yard box, with his weaker left foot, but unfortunately it results in nothing, as Guiu has dropped to fill the gap left by Felix and Nkunku doesn’t gamble on the blindside of the center back.
Towards the end of the half we see another good left-footed cross, which this time finds the head of Nkunku at the back post. Toes are pointing towards the target, the body position is excellent, with head and shoulders over the ball.
In the 50th minute Chelsea score their second goal. Cucurella gets the assist but George plays a huge part in the move, finding Cucurella’s underlap with a perfectly weighted pass. This is the type of movement he needed around him in the first half, but Veiga sat in the pivot rather than making the run, leaving him isolated.
The last twenty minutes of the game were the Tyrique George show; an ever-present outlet, and his two assists came close together in the 70 and 74th minutes. They’re actually both quite similar too.
Morecambe are more settled for the first, with George receiving in the left channel. He shimmies outside, cuts on to his right and passes inside. Veiga steps over it and Tosin smashes home from outside the box. The movement afterwards (the yellow line) is a nice addition, getting in behind for the return on the blindside of the fullback.
The second is arguably more impressive with Chelsea on the break. He starts on the touchline and keeps his width, receiving around 35 yards from goal with plenty to do. The youngster then drives inside and performs a similar action with three Morecambe players in his vicinity. This time Felix is the beneficiary.
People will often look at stats, and today they were good, but it just doesn’t show you the whole picture. You really have to watch the game and watch the players. If you watched Ty today you’ll recognize that there’s so much variation to his game; separation movement by either pulling wide or dropping deep, runs out-to-in, runs in behind, passes between lines, and switches of play. It’s an impressive repertoire for someone of such a young age.
Another thing that impressed me was the high quality of actions even late in the game, especially as a young player. For instance, in the 87th minute he’s still finding Felix inside the box with intricate passes.
Around the hour mark he made a couple of nice runs but was shrugged off the ball, forcing corners. It’s good movement and a valid contribution, but that is where some of the improvement will come in time. A loan spell at a top Championship club (think Hutchinson at Ipswich) could do him the world of good in learning to ride challenges and time or mask his runs to avoid contact. While of course his physicality will improve naturally over the next few years, only being 18.
Chances may be limited to the FA Cup and Conference League this season, depending on the opposition drawn, but there’s a bright future for Tyrique George and a pathway there should he seize the opportunity like he did today.
The Chelsea Spot 
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