Although one fine goal against limited opposition from the Championship is unlikely to make Chelsea think twice about signing a new striker this month, it was still heartening for Mauricio Pochettino to see Armando Broja take his chance during this thrashing of Preston North End.
This is a crucial period for Broja. So difficult to contain when he is fit and firing, this is the 22-year-old’s chance to establish himself in Chelsea’s attack. Broja, who has been searching for consistency since returning from a serious knee injury, knows he has to step up while Nicolas Jackson is away at the Africa Cup of Nations. He has to show that Pochettino can rely on him.
Puncturing Preston with a classic headed finish was a good way for Broja to begin. There are flaws to eradicate and he should have finished this game with a hat-trick. But Chelsea, through to the fourth round of the FA Cup after this 4-0 win, were crying out for inspiration before Broja opened the scoring early in the second half.
Not having European football means there is no reason for Chelsea not to take the cup competitions seriously this season. As a manager who is yet to win silverware in English football, Pochettino was not in a position to leave out too many of his regulars. His selection looked strong, even with a slight injury forcing Christopher Nkunku back into a notoriously busy treatment room, and the sight of two £100m players in Chelsea’s midfield was an instant reminder of the wealth gap that exists between the majority of the Premier League and those in the second tier.
Preston tried to even the odds. They made a committed start, their midfielders hunting the 50-50s, and their 3-5-1-1 shape was difficult to break down at first. Chelsea, who can struggle against low blocks, soon realised they would not have it all their own way.
It hardly helped that Pochettino’s forwards were at their profligate worst during the first half. Raheem Sterling had an early shot deflected into Freddie Woodman’s grateful grasp and saw another effort pushed over by Preston’s goalkeeper. Cole Palmer, found by Enzo Fernández’s lofted ball, tried to be extravagant and chipped wide when it seemed easier to score. Fernández, under pressure to add goals to his game, would add to the frustration by heading straight at Woodman from close range.
The story became one of sterile Chelsea possession. The passing was too slow, the movement too obvious, making life comfortable for Preston’s defenders. Inevitably the focus began to drift. Invited forward, Preston grew more adventurous and looked to test Chelsea in the air. Will Keane and Milutin Osmajic had shots saved by Djordje Petrovic. Alfie Gilchrist, a 20-year-old making his first start for Chelsea at right-back, responded well to some driving runs from Liam Millar.
Pochettino disappeared down the tunnel before half-time, his patience stretched by another wayward cross from Palmer. Chelsea had been poor. Preston had limited Mykhailo Mudryk’s influence, Brad Potts shackling the winger, while Broja had received little service in attack.
There was no improvement at the start of the second half. With questions over Chelsea’s attitude growing, the home fans howled at a slack pass from Moisés Caicedo in a dangerous position. The midfielder was relieved to see Alan Browne shoot over from 20 yards.
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That seemed to wake Chelsea up. They forced Preston back, refusing to let them out. Pochettino was finally seeing urgency and desire. It was typified by Mudryk’s role when the breakthrough arrived in the 57th minute. An attack had broken down, Caicedo tackled on the edge of the area, but Mudryk kept going. He scampered to the left to retrieve the loose ball and played it back to Gusto, who crossed for the unmarked Broja to glance a beautiful header past Woodman.
Broja’s decisiveness was crucial. The striker hit the bar with another header but Chelsea did not have to wait long for a second goal. Preston’s hopes of an upset were over when Thiago Silva, just on for Gilchrist, headed in Palmer’s corner.
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Sterling made it 3-0 with a wonderful free-kick and there was time for Fernández to score from close range. Chelsea will have a spring in their step when they visit Middlesbrough for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.