Arne Slot lauded Federico Chiesa‘s work ethic after he had a hand in both goals in the win against Southampton, with an opportunity now presenting itself at Palace.
Chiesa played his first 90 minutes since February’s trip to Plymouth on Tuesday evening and finished with two assists and the most chances created (four).
He was statistically FotMob‘s Man of the Match with a rating of 8.9-out-of-10, with his work on the ball matched by his efforts off it, winning the second-most duels of any player (five).
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Slot spoke post-match how he was “far from happy with a few individual performances,” but Chiesa was one of the obvious exceptions.
“I can accept completely that a team that plays for the first time together, players that haven’t played for a long time, that they don’t play as a team perfectly,” Slot started.
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“But what I always want to see is players that try and work hard.
“So I said at half-time, for me it is completely not a coincidence that Federico picked the ball and assisted the first [goal] because he was the one, in my opinion, that was most involved in the game, tried the most, worked the hardest.
“And then it wasn’t a coincidence again that he was the man that made a deep run, great ball by Robbo, by the way – who also has won so much at this club and also understands how to play this game: not underestimate it, just always be ready to play.
“That’s also the way to get yourself either back in the team or get as much playing minutes as you want.
“That’s why I was happy with a few individual performances but far from happy with a few other individual performances.”
A chance at No. 9 on Saturday?
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With Hugo Ekitike earning himself a suspension against Crystal Palace with a needless red card and Alexander Isak still not ready to play 90 minutes, there is an opportunity for Chiesa at No. 9.
As Slot said himself, the way to get into the team is to show the required effort, and the Italian did his chances of a more involved role no harm after being left out against Everton.
Isak is likely to start his third match in 11 days at Selhurst Park, with Chiesa then the obvious choice to take over up top after the Swede has played his pre-planned minutes.
In each of his four appearances off the bench in the league, Chiesa has taken over from Ekitike but played a maximum of 18 minutes, and Isak’s game management means he is in line for more on Saturday.