Tiémoué Bakayoko has had better nights than this.
He’s had better seasons than this, too.
Signed from AS Monaco in the summer, the French international has failed to produce the kind of performances many who saw him in action in the Champions League last season might have expected.
Things got no better for him at Vicarage Road on Monday night. With Chelsea reportedly needing to win the game to save Antonio Conte’s job, Bakayoko picked up two yellow cards in the first half, ensuring his teammates would gave to play the rest of the night with ten men.
As he left the field, plenty of those watching – Jamie Carragher included – joked that his dismissal might actually benefit the champions.
Bakayoko Red! Chelsea will now improve!! #WATCHE
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 5, 2018
#CFC up to 10 men with that red card…
— Mark Mann-Bryans (@MarkyMBryans) February 5, 2018
As I was saying…a minute ago…Bakayoko on a yellow…#cfc might actually be better off he gets a red
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) February 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheChelseaWay/status/960611936424677379
10 men without Bakayoko is even better smh
— BRAPURPLE 🇬🇭 (@bra_purple) February 5, 2018
Playing 10 man without Bakayoko is far much better #Contemustfall
— #VoteTemba4Norton (@Makipa88) February 5, 2018
As it was, it didn’t. Not instantly, anyway. Minutes later, they conceded a penalty, allowing Troy Deeney to score the opening goal of the game.
