Chelsea will be relieved £22m deal for player turned down by Man United didn’t happen

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea just about got the job done after beating Lincoln City to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, but it was an uncomfortable night.

The Blues fell behind against the League One hosts after Rob Street’s first-half effort, before fighting back to score two goals in as many minutes with Enzo Maresca’s harsh words still ringing in their ears.

Tyrique George levelled the scores with a fine effort shortly after the restart, before he set up Facundo Buonanotte to tuck in the winner, completing the nervy turnaround.

While it was not his side’s most accomplished performance, Maresca will have been pleased with the efforts of one player who is fighting for his first-team future this season.

• READ MORE: Chelsea fans believe Enzo Maresca has the next Cole Palmer after Lincoln performance

Tyrique George almost left Chelsea in the summer

It was a dramatic deadline day for George, who looked set to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge.

A proposed £22million move to Fulham collapsed in the final knockings of the summer window, while Manchester United rejected the chance to sign George.

Chelsea offered him in a swap deal as they worked to bring in Alejandro Garnacho from Man United, but the Red Devils were not interested, according to Fabrizio Romano.

George decided to leave the club and also held talks with RB Leipzig, but in the end, he stayed in West London and was given a surprise lifeline.

The 19-year-old was named in Maresca’s starting XI against Lincoln and seized his opportunity with both hands, delivering an impressive performance and rescuing his side with a leveller.

The academy graduate was played as the lone striker, rather than in his usual position out wide, but he more than held his own against a tough and no-nonsense backline.

• READ MORE: Italian media react as Christopher Nkunku makes first start for AC Milan after Chelsea exit

Tyrique George is good enough for Chelsea’s first team

George is Chelsea’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the Premier League after netting against Fulham on April 20 at the age of just 19 years and 75 days, and he is certainly a talent to keep an eye on.

With Liam Delap out injured and Nicolas Jackson sent on loan to Bayern Munich on deadline day, Maresca’s options up front look a little thin on the ground.

However, that presents an opportunity for George, who has been given a second chance at his boyhood club, and he looks to be ahead of the recalled Marc Guiu in the pecking order.

Maresca spoke positively of the youngster’s performance against Lincoln and suggested he would lean on him again during matches, especially with his attacking options so threadbare.

“We already gave Tyrique George last year some confidence,” said Maresca. “This year, even Manchester United and Fulham in the second half, he’s playing games and helping us.”

George could keep his place in the side against Brighton this weekend, and he would certainly deserve it.