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Ponder, for a moment or two, Schalke’s danger men and it’s unlikely that Atsuto Uchida will be among those who spring to mind.
After all, the right-back, whose status as a household name is reserved solely for his native Japan, plays alongside the likes of wonderkid Julian Draxler and midfield dynamo Kevin-Prince Boateng.
But, as the German side prepare to host Chelsea in the Champions League, Jose Mourinho would be wise to look beyond the obvious talents in Jens Keller’s squad to a player who could play a pivotal role in Tuesday night’s clash.
The visitors will be without Ashley Cole in Gelsenkirchen, despite the England star returning to training after a rib problem. Ryan Bertrand looks likely to continue at left-back, almost certainly alongside John Terry, David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic.
That leaves Bertrand, who only made his first Premier League appearance of the season against Cardiff on Saturday, in direct opposition with the marauding Uchida. The stats suggest a tough night awaits the former Gillingham youngster at the Vetlins-Arena.
Japanese international Uchida has excelled in Europe so far, helping his side to the top of Group E after wins at home to Steaua Bucharest and away in Basel.
He turned in a Man of the Match display during the 3-0 victory against the Romanians in mid-September, scoring once, creating two chances for his team-mates and winning five of his seven tackles. His Squawka Performance Score of 98 was well deserved to say the least.
Although less influential in the 1-0 success in Switzerland, Uchida put in a sound defensive display by winning his only tackle and making 10 clearances and three interceptions – the second-highest amount of any Schalke player.
But it’s back in the Bundesliga where the former Kashima Antlers star has exhibited the attacking attributes which will make him such a threat to Bertrand and the rest of Chelsea’s left-side.
In his eight league games Uchida has completed 10 of his 12 take-ons, showing a confidence to get forward and beat opponents when the opportunity presents itself. He’s also recorded two assists within his six key passes, proving that he has an end product to the more expansive side of his game.
The 25-year-old will be tested defensively by the Blues’ creative midfielders but Eden Hazard and co will need to be at their best to beat a player who has won 20 of his 25 tackles in the German top-flight so far this campaign.
Schalke will be without first-choice striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar on Tuesday but it’s the absence of Cole which could prove more important, with Uchida just the man to exploit Chelsea’s soft-spot.
