Belgian ace clearly wasn't wanted at Stamford Bridge by Antonio Conte but has been on fire since moving to Germany on loan, bagging five goals in his first three games
MICHY BATSHUAYI’S loan move from Chelsea to Borussia Dortmund was part of the big January deadline day transfer merry-go-round.
The Belgian’s temporary switch to Germany allowed Arsenal to complete the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Olivier Giroud to become the big-man Antonio Conte had been craving up front at Stamford Bridge.
Batshuayi has instantly settled at Dortmund. He netted twice on his debut and his brace in a 3-2 Europa League win over Atalanta took his tally to five goals in just three games.
It’s an impressive start so we asked our friends at Football Whispers to discuss and answer whether Chelsea made the right decision letting the Belgium international leave Stamford Bridge.
It was always clear where Batshuayi stood in the mind of Conte. He was a back-up option and nothing more.
During his 18 months at Stamford Bridge, the 24-year-old was reduced to making substitute appearances off the bench. And yet he has 19 goals in 53 appearances for Chelsea.
Trust has been the biggest issue. Conte has never truly believed Batshuayi was the right fit for his system.
It came to a head last season when Diego Costa was ruled out of games against Bournemouth and Leicester City.
The former Marseille striker was handed just six minutes off the bench as Chelsea played with Eden Hazard as a false nine.
Chelsea won both games comfortably but they appeared the perfect opportunity to hand the Belgian some game time in the Blues’ front-three. The fact Conte opted against doing so was telling.
Alvaro Morata was always going to be the lead man at club this season following his summer arrival from Real Madrid.
But when the Spaniard was ruled out through injury, Batshuayi deserved more of a chance. Instead Conte again turned to Hazard to lead the line.
The Chelsea head coach didn’t show any real desire to keep the forward at the club in January when Batshuayi was linked with a move away.
“I don’t know what happens. But when you play in the Premier League, Champions League and the FA Cup three strikers is the minimum. We have a lot of competitions. Three strikers is the minimum.
“I don’t know if Michy wants to stay or go on loan — it will be the player’s decision, not my decision.”
In the 4-0 win over Brighton last month, Batshuayi showed his ability to lead the line and picked up an assist at the Amex.
Hazard scored twice that day, but it was Batshuayi’s movement and touch in the final third, especially for Chelsea’s second, which stood out.
Importantly for the striker, Dortmund and Chelsea have different styles.
Batshuayi is flanked by wingers in a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 hybrid in Germany. Dortmund’s game is based on speed and movement, a tactic which plays directly into the loanee’s strengths.
And his turn and fabulous strike against the Italian side in the Europa League was a reminder of the the exciting player Marseille fans fell in love with.
In France Batshuayi scored 33 goals in 78 games. He was firstly used as a sub, playing back-up to Andre-Pierre Gignac. But in his second season, Batshuayi was the club’s only recognised striker.
Marseille are the best supported club in the country. The pressure to perform is up their with anything experienced at Stamford Bridge. He knows how to handle expectation.
But this season Conte has often played a two-man attack. Hazard has been played off a target man, which Batshuayi isn’t.
Chelsea haven’t given BVB the option to buy the Belgian, however, so his spell at Stamford Bridge may not be over.
"Michy is a real goal-scorer, it was a good move to bring him here,'' Dortmund manager Peter Stoeger said after the 3-2 win.
"Things are looking good. He is well liked, fully integrated and our goals and his personal goals align.''
Batshuayi has proven he can score when given minutes and the right service. If Conte leaves in the summer, the striker may have a chance at Chelsea.
A loan move at this stage is perfect for everyone, however. Batshuayi is happy and, most importantly, is scoring goals.
