3 reasons why Ghanaian defender should start against PSG

English Premier League Champions Chelsea will take on Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night in a bid to realize their most probable route of making the UEFA Champions League next season.

The Stamford Bridge outfit has struggled in their title defence and a top four position by the end of the season seems a great deal for Guus Hiddink’s team.

The Premier League Champions go into their round of 16 UEFA Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain with some defence troubles. Team captain John Terry and Kurt Zouma, Chelsea’s first choice central defence partnership are both injured and ruled out for the game.

That will mean a shift of Branislav Ivanovic to pair Gary Cahill at the centre of defence, a move for Cesar Azpilicueta from left full back to right full back leaving the left full back position vacant.

Abdul Baba Rahman has played one and a half games in 12 fixtures since Guus Hiddink took over. But here are three reasons why Guus Hiddink should not pull a Jose Mourinho to play Robert Kennedy at left full back.

Abdul Baba Rahman has a point to prove

The Ghanaian defender hasn’t got the opportunity and game time to show the player that he was with German Bundesliga side Augsburg last season. The former Asante Kotoko player has barely played for Premier League Champions and claiming his spot or an opportunity to show some consistency hasn’t come about that easily.

Baba Rahman has a chance on Tuesday night to prove a point. A point that he is a good enough player for Chelsea to depend on for now and years to come.

The game against Paris-Saint Germain will be arguably the biggest test for the 21-year-old Ghanaian player since him joining the Stamford Bridge outfit.

Baba is set to face former Manchester United player Angel Di Maria who has rediscovered his Real Madrid form since leaving the Old Trafford club for the French Ligue.

Against a world class winger in the caliber of Angel Di Maria, Ghana international Abdul Baba Rahman could be a real hero, showing the world what he is made of as a defender.

The determination to prove a point in the UEFA Champions League game when Chelsea travel to France will be great reason enough for Baba Rahman to start.

Ability going forward

Looking at the Chelsea team against a Paris Saint-Germain side blessed with attacking capabilities, Guus Hiddink’s side will need every attacking option in their side to match up to Laurent Blanc’s team.

Abdul Baba Rahman’s ability going forward is a plus for Chelsea. The Ghanaian defender despite still adjusting to his Chelsea days with a bit of caution does not fear going forward. The player showed that in his first [and only] full game under Guus Hiddink when the Premier League Champions played MK Dons in the FA Cup.

His partnership and attacking sense with players on the left flank of the Chelsea team has shown a player of attacking intent and that could be a huge advantage for Chelsea against Paris Saint-Germain.

Baba Rahman’s pace on the flanks

The ability of a defender to attack with his team and come back to properly defend at equal measure is only due to one thing: PACE!

Baba Rahman has good enough pace to fall back and fill the spots in defence after an attack and with Paris Saint-Germain coming in with a three man attacking option out of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani and Lucas Moura, the Black Stars defender’s pace could come in handy.

Chelsea would want to give it all out in taking something out of their first leg game against Paris Saint-Germain and Baba Rahman is their best shot at the back in the absence of John Terry and Kurt Zouma.

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