“He’s too good to be benching him” “He’s a box to box player” – Joe Cole warns Enzo Maresca to give Chelsea star some chance after good performance against Copenhagen
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was the match-winner as Chelsea defeated Copenhagen to progress in the Conference League.
Chelsea beat Copenhagen 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night, which sealed a 3-1 aggregate success over the two legs.
As a result, the Blues will face Legia Warszawa in the Conference League quarter-finals as they chase down European silverware this season.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, 26, scored the winning goal for Chelsea in the second leg against Copenhagen. The Englishman, who played as an attacking midfielder, powered in a great low finish during the second half after some intricate dribbling into the penalty box.
Dewsbury-Hall was a deserved man of the match in the Chelsea player ratings versus Copenhagen.
Joe Cole impressed by Chelsea’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after performance vs Copenhagen
Joe Cole delivered a glowing verdict on Blues midfielder Dewsbury-Hall immediately after his display on Thursday.
Even though he’s struggled for starts in the Premier League during his debut season with the club, he’s been a key figure in the club’s run in the Conference League. In fact, all three of his goals this campaign have come in Europe.
When discussing Dewsbury-Hall’s performance versus Copenhagen, Cole told TNT Sports 4 (10:10pm, 13 March): “I’m really pleased for him. We’ve watched him in this competition. Every game he’s affected the game. He’s done something in every game where you go he’s a player. I think there is a future for him at Chelsea.
“He’s too good a player to be playing 10, 15 games at his age… He needs to play football because he’s such a good talented footballer. The decision will probably be his at the end of the season. What does he do? Does he go find his football somewhere else, or does he stick it out? Every time I watch him I like him. As a manager, you’d want him in your team. I think he can play at a very, very high level.”
The fact that Dewsbury-Hall was poor in the first leg against Copenhagen made his response in the second leg even greater.
Even though he was linked with a transfer exit in January, Maresca confirmed he wanted to keep Dewsbury-Hall as he could be an important part moving forward. It certainly feels like he’s made the Conference League competition his own.