Analysing Samuel Eto'o's Performance vs. Schalke

When Samuel Eto'o took a €12 million pay cut to sign with Chelsea this summer, he did so with the goal of reclaiming his spot among the world's best while playing on the grandest of all stages. On Wednesday, he proved why the move is working out quite well for both sides.

Eto'o scored goals in the 31st and 54th minutes, as Chelsea scored a critical three points in their 3-0 defeat of Schalke 04 in Champions League play. Demba Ba finalized the score with a garbage-time goal in the 83rd minute.

The victory, performed before a raucous mid-week crowd at Stamford Bridge, gives Chelsea the Group E lead alone following this week's fixtures.  

With nine points, they hold a three-point advantage of Schalke, who came into action tied for the lead with six points. Chelsea are also grateful to Steaua Bucuresti this week after they scored a surprising 1-1 draw with FC Basel, creating a logjam between the three teams chasing the Blues.

But Wednesday's match was about the surging Eto'o. The Cameroonian's first goal was a semi-hilarious, semi-heads-up play that will likely see many highlight films in the coming days.

For some strange reason, Schalke goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand held onto a clear attempt, unsure of where he was launching the pass. Eto'o, sensing Hildebrand's hesitation, rushed in to disrupt the play from the side, deflecting the clear attempt into the back of the net for Chelsea's first goal. We'll leave it up to Hildebrand and Co. to let us all know what anyone was thinking on that effort.

The second goal, however, was the one that will truly get Chelsea supporters in an uproar. Willian slashed through the parting of the seas otherwise known as the Schalke defense, putting a move on at the midfield before dishing off to Eto'o at the top of the box. Utilizing form he'd honed since his youth stint with Barcelona, Eto'o hesitated a bit, drew Hildebrand out and fired a right-footed strike to the lower left corner of the net.

Two goals and 23 minutes later, Eto'o was receiving uproarious applause from those in attendance. By the time he left the pitch in the 78th minute for Ba, he had unquestionably finished his finest match in a Chelsea shirt.

Aggressive throughout the match, Eto'o played with the type of flair that has rarely been seen since he made the move to the Premier League side. Working equal parts as a substitute and a starter, Eto'o had scored only once in his first 10 appearances prior to Wednesday.

But Eto'o's entry to the starting lineup was one of many changes Jose Mourinho made since this weekend's loss at Newcastle. Six different changes were made Saturday, none bigger than the man they arguably need to get going the most going forward. 

Eto'o's match was what both sides envisioned when he left Anzhi Makhachkala for Stamford Bridge, getting out of the budget-slashing club's toxic environment as fast as possible. When Eto'o arrived at the Russian side, he became the world's highest-paid player. Landing Eto'o was the coup most saw as Anzhi Makhachkala's arrival on the world stage, much in the same way Paris Saint-Germain have built themselves into a giant with the sheer presence of their pocketbook.

But Eto'o's dream never quite turned into reality. CSKA Moscow and Zenit Saint Petersburg continued their reign atop the Russian Premier League, with Anzhi Makhachkala relegated to second-tier bit player. While Eto'o had individual successes during his time in Russia and the club was far better for him being there, ownership's decision to dismantle the competitive push gave Eto'o a chance to properly end his prime.

One of Chelsea's many splashy signings over the summer, Mourinho and Eto'o are in many ways tied together. Both are trying to prove things to fans at points in their careers when no proving is needed.

Mourinho's return to Chelsea was designed specifically for him to hoist Champions League and Premier League crowns in the place he established himself as perhaps the world's best manager. He's now two matches away from clinching a Champions League group title and has his club in a logjam for second place in the Premier League table.

It's safe to say he's living up to the hype. 

Eto'o, having never played in the Premier League, is arguably taking his final stab at being an integral part of an elite club. Taking the pay cut. Taking the lessened role. Taking the lessened responsibility. It was all designed for moments like these. 

For Eto'o to live up to his hype, however, it'll be necessary that outings like Wednesday happen more often.

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