Another high-scoring game for Chelsea against Leeds United .
Valentin Barco insists he is ready to play more games for Chelsea after his goalscoring performance in the Carabao Cup third-round win over Leeds United.
Chelsea secured a thrilling 6-3 comeback win over Leeds at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, and Barco played a significant role in the turnaround.
The 22-year-old made the starting line-up, playing in midfield alongside academy star Reggie Watson. Having made nine changes in the team, Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm in the first half.
It even looked like it was going to be another disappointing result for Chelsea when Leeds went up by two goals in the 48th minute. However, the introduction of Cole Palmer , Morgan Rogers , Pedro Neto , and Reece James at half-time proved effective.
Chelsea turned the tide and were up 4-2 in the 65th minute, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled one back for the visitors 10 minutes later.
Considering how the match had gone up until that point, a 4-3 lead clearly did not feel safe. Then Barco played his part, scoring Chelsea's fifth goal of the match in the 80th minute. He later also recorded an assist after Danny Welbeck deflected Barco's shot into the net with his head in stoppage time.
Needless to say, Barco was satisfied with his display in the game.
"I feel good," the Argentina international told Chelsea's in-house media when asked about his performance in the cup tie win.
"I think I said in my first interview at Chelsea that I'm ready to play these games. I'm ready to play in the Premier League as well.
"It's physical, a tough league, but I think I'm ready to fight every game and play as well.
"I feel comfortable with the team, with the coach, and that makes me happy. I'm showing (it)."
Asked about his first goal for Chelsea, Barco added: "It was top. I hope (it is the) first of many.
"That made me so happy. I want to thank everyone: the coach for giving me confidence, and my teammates as well. This is a huge club, and I hope to play many matches, score many goals, and win trophies as well."
Barco has so far played a total of 188 minutes in three appearances for Chelsea. Two of these, however, were in the Carabao Cup.
He has only had eight minutes in the Premier League so far, a cameo in the win over his former club, Brighton & Hove Albion , in late August. He was left on the bench in two league games, against Fulham and Arsenal .
In the Arsenal match, in particular, Alonso raised some eyebrows when he decided to deploy two right-backs in midfield in the final 30 minutes of the derby defeat, despite having Barco among his substitutes.
Barco arguably made a very good case for an increase in his involvement in league games, but it is not as if Alonso is unaware of the midfielder's quality.
Speaking about Barco in Tuesday's press conference, the Chelsea manager said: "He's patient, he's intelligent, knowing that he has taken a big, a very important step coming from Strasbourg .
"Now that the competition is great, he's good, but he's ready for the challenge."
Based on Alonso's comment, it is only a matter of time before Barco gets his opportunities in Premier League games, especially with Moises Caicedo still overcoming an injury.
