Nemanja Matic controlled the tempo of Chelsea‘s game against Middlesbrough on Sunday afternoon with his concise passing and positional awareness, as The Blues ran out 1-0 winners.
A goal from Diego Costa around five minutes before the break handed Antonio Conte’s men their sixth consecutive league victory, while the Blues’ defensive structure remained in tact yet again as they kept their sixth successive clean sheet in the success at the Riverside Stadium.
Matic has started every league game under N’Golo Kante this season and Chelsea are reaping the rewards for establishing a consistent partnership in front of their back three.
The Serbian overcomplicated things last season as he and his teammates searched for a spark to revive their dwindling campaign, but under Conte he is doing the right things, at the correct time and in the appropriate areas.
28-year-old Matic has got quick feet for such a tall individual and that, coupled with his ability to drive beyond people with his athleticism, means he is an asset for his team in an offensive capacity as well as being a solid protector of his defence.
Furthermore, Matic won 50% of his aerial duels, made one block and one interception against Middlesbrough – highlighting his complete performance for the Blues.
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