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Scott Trotter

What Jorginho did to Harvey Vale as Tuchel ponders what next for Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner

On a very dramatic day for Chelsea Football Club, matters on the pitch tried to capture some of the attention.

Chelsea's 3-2 win was by no means easy for Thomas Tuchel's side as they twice had to come back from behind to be spared the embarrassment of an FA Cup exit to lower league competition.

The Blues did progress to the competition's quarter-final stage as Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku added to Saul Niguez's opening goal.

It was not a vintage Chelsea performance but Tuchel believe his side deserved to win, despite an impressive start from the Hatters.

He said: "There were a lot of players out, more or less no defensive players, and we were in a completely new set-up in a different competition There was some noise, of course, around the club throughout the day. So it was not so easy to focus.

"But we did very well I think. We conceded straight away but had big chances to not only equaliser but to go ahead. Then we concede another one and in the second half we stepped up, pushed, were relentless, never impatient, and we deserved to win.

football.london takes a look at the biggest talking points to arise from the match below:

Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku find the net

The duo found the net to earn Chelsea their win with Werner having a role to play in every goal.

It would be perhaps over the top to suggest they both put in sterling performances, but the provided exactly what is expected of them.

Their influence overall perhaps lacked impact, with German looking in the first half that he was struggling for confidence, while Lukaku completed 24 touches on this occasion. Plenty more than his effort against Crystal Palace but still lacking in comparison to each of his teammates other than substitute Christian Pulisic.

It's partially to be expect but still a statistic that will be over-analysed given his previous performances. However, he did struggle to find much of the ball against an opposition many would hope he would bully.

Tuchel was happy with their end product and Werner's performance in particular.

He said: "Timo played very well, I am happy for that, and Romelu got his goal. That is why we left them on the pitch. These matches are, at the moment, the most important matches for them even if they think they should've played this match or this match.

"We want them to play with full focus and take this seriously because this is where you grow in confidence, where you can get your confidence. Timo did very well and Romelu got his goal so it's only positive.

"On the other hand, this is why they are here in cup matches like this when it's hard to show permanently you're the better team or all your qualities, you need to show the little moments to go through and then forget the game because you're into the draw for the next round.

"This is what we did and it's why I am happy."

It doesn't necessarily sound like they will be the first names on the teamsheet next time out, but still progress for the forwards.

A problematic 3-4-3 but Ruben Loftus-Cheek earns man of the match

With so many injuries and players missing for the Blues, it was always going to be difficult to put a backline together.

Many would argue Tuchel should have opted for a back four with Antonio Rudiger and Malang Sarr forming the centre partnership. However, that appears like it would have meant Kenedy and Callum Hudson-Odoi being used as more traditional full-backs and perhaps limited the control that the German coach likes to exert.

As a result, Ruben Loftus-Cheek found himself in the heart of defence. His distribution is obviously well-suited to the position, but as he pressed out from the backline he allowed Sarr to be caught in whether he should play the offside trap, which resulted in a precision pass to Harry Cornick producing an expert finish past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Despite his inexperience, Loftus-Cheek managed to earn man of the match honours, capped off by the pass of the night for Werner to latch onto and finish with ease.

The former Crystal Palace and Fulham loanee, has slotted into a number of roles for the Blues this season and rarely let Tuchel and Co down. His place in the team and squad moving forward will be fascinating heading into the summer.

Trust in Harvey Vale

It's almost expected that the best team make use of their youngsters in a match against lower league opposition. Harvey Vale, Lewis Hall and Dylan Williams had to settle for places on the bench, however, as Tuchel made nine changes to his Chelsea side due to a combination of injuries, knocks and rest.

With many of the usual starting XI not on the field it was perhaps deemed a risk too far to start the youngsters against an in form Championship side.

However, with the Blues 2-1 down Tuchel still trusted Vale as a 62nd minute substitute. Defeat would have been a bitter blow after the weekend's disappointment, so it says a lot about how he is regarded to enter the field at such a crucial time.

While Ruben Loftus-Cheek said the 18-year-old 'looked very natural', the youngster earned Jorginho's approval with an early strike after his introduction. The Italian give him an encouraging clap, and Vale looked part of the team as the Blues earned their way back to a win.

What next for Chelsea?

The talking point that cannot be ignored.

What comes after Roman Abramovich. Of course, it's an answer that those of a Chelsea persuasion will have to wait for, and it's likely to dominate the coming weeks and months.

We've got little insight beyond the Russian's statement so far and Tuchel was unable to offer any more. The Blues boss expects a member of the board to converse with himself and the players in the near future, but regardless he is not worried.

He said: "I'm not so much worried as I still feel privileged and in a good place. I hope and trust for the best. I'm so much a person who worries about things I can't influence.

"It's big news and will be big change, but I am also never afraid of change and I'll focus on what I can influence. This is the staff and team at Cobham."

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