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Southampton 0-3 Chelsea: Three key takeaways – 07/10/18

By Erik Franzo

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 07: Wesley Hoedt of Southampton tackles Olivier Giroud of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC at St Mary's Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 07: Wesley Hoedt of Southampton tackles Olivier Giroud of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC at St Mary's Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 07: Wesley Hoedt of Southampton clears under pressure from Willian of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC at St Mary’s Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 07: Wesley Hoedt of Southampton clears under pressure from Willian of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC at St Mary’s Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Centre-Back Dropped

Jannik Vestergaard was left out of the starting eleven for a second straight game after not featuring against Everton in the EFL Cup Tuesday.  However, the increasingly poor play of Wesley Hoedt should be of more serious concern for Southampton going forward.

Since Mark Hughes’ arrival, Wesley Hoedt has been a mainstay in the Southampton starting eleven.  There is something about the Dutch centre-back that the manager loves, but many fans cannot figure out exactly what that is.  

Hoedt is left-footed, a good passer off the ball, and with technical qualities, but none of those showed today.  He gave away possession routinely with his long passes, struggles in clearances, and should have given a penalty away on his tackle on Oliver Giroud.

Hoedt was directly at fault for the opening goal on Sunday.  His pass to Pierre-Emile-Hojbjerg put the midfielder under pressure in a difficult position.  As Ross Barkley won possession, Hoedt then stepped out of his defensive shape, where Eden Hazard found the ball and calmly put his team in the lead.

The centre-back even found himself with two opportunities to put the ball on frame from corner kicks which fell kindly to his left-foot.  It is hard to place criticism on a centre-back in this position, but he is put there on set pieces for a reason, and smashed both balls out of play.

Maybe Hughes’ centre-back selection should come under criticism, as it is appears clear to many fans Hoedt is more of a concern than Vestergaard.  However, all this does is emphasize the fact that Southampton are struggling because of the instability at the most important position on the pitch.