JAMIE CARRAGHER was left utterly bemused after a totally “bizarre” moment in Chelsea’s win over Luton.
The former Liverpool defender was on commentary duties at Stamford Bridge as the Blues ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.
GettyBen Chilwell burst through and had a great chance to score Chelsea’s second[/caption]
ReutersThe left-back and captain fluffed his lines by deciding to pass[/caption]
However, there was one passage of play that Carra simply couldn’t comprehend.
Five minutes after half-time, with Chelsea leading 1-0 thanks to Raheem Sterling’s superb solo opener, the hosts should have doubled their lead.
Ben Chilwell, captaining the side in Reece James’ absence, won the ball high in the pitch and received it back from a neat Nicolas Jackson flick.
The left-back, 26, made a superb, driving run into the Luton penalty area between the defenders.
But rather than letting fly from 14 yards out as everyone expected for his tenth Chelsea goal, he somehow and for some reason tried to find Sterling with an intricate pass – only for the ball to be intercepted by Hatters defender Amari’i Bell.
And Carragher could not hide his surprise at the baffling choice.
He said: “I can’t believe what I’ve just seen. It’s awful. It really is. Such poor decision-making.
“I was talking about Ben Chilwell’s role in an attacking sense but he’s making me eat my words a little bit.
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“He drives through but… that is unbelievable.”
Fans at home were equally confused – with plenty of Fantasy Premier League managers fuming at Chilwell for costing them crucial points.
One said: “What is he doinngggggg?!”
Another wrote: “I’m still not over that Chilwell decision to pass and not shoot.”
A third added: “Of course Chilwell is in front of goal and doesn’t shoot. My FPL luck is atrocious.”
And a final user commented: “Lost for words. Chilwell in on goal and tries to square it instead of just scoring. Bizarre.”
Sterling grabbed himself a second before Jackson completed the victory, Chelsea’s first under Mauricio Pochettino.
And Chilwell took to social media soon after to poke fun at himself following his blunder.
The ex-Leicester City man wrote: “Absolute honour to lead the boys out tonight at the Bridge. PS – shooting practice for me tomorrow.”
Former Foxes team-mate James Maddison, now at Tottenham, replied: “You don’t need to practise shooting bro, you need to practise deciding to shoot.”
Chilwell quipped back: “Got a nosebleed I think.”
Sky SportsChilwell had the goal at his mercy and should have let fly 14 yards out[/caption]
Sky SportsHe decided to try and pick out Raheem Sterling[/caption]
Jamie Carragher could not hide his surprise at Chilwell’s decision