Slowly however absolutely Chelsea are starting to seem like a extra coherent outfit underneath new boss Enzo Maresca.
The Blues unsurprisingly tasted defeat towards champions Manchester Metropolis on the opening weekend however then rallied to dispatch Wolves 6-2 the next match. It was an exhilarating efficiency the place the likes of Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer made Gary O’Neil’s facet pay.
Due to this fact, the 1-1 draw with an underperforming Crystal Palace was a tricky setback for a staff who appeared like they have been on the up.
Properly, Chelsea responded in good style towards Bournemouth on Saturday night, battling arduous to defeat the Cherries 1-0 late on.
An impressed Robert Sanchez was on the prime of his recreation – finally – rescuing Chelsea with a penalty save and laying the platform for a late Christopher Nkunku purpose.
The Frenchman started the loss to Man Metropolis however hasn’t began a league outing since resulting from elevated competitors for locations in Maresca’s assault.
Nevertheless, he may effectively be again within the facet in per week’s time after a few of the performances this weekend.
One of many worst gamers on the pitch was defender Axel Disasi.
Axel Disasi’s efficiency in numbers
Within the grand scheme of issues Maresca wanted to enhance an ideal deal about this Chelsea facet however the defence was clearly a main concern.
That was by no means going to be a straightforward job with skipper Reece James lacking the early phases of the marketing campaign however the sheer variety of recruits, Tosin Adarabioyo and Renato Veiga included, did see depth enhance.
Veiga was really chosen in the midst of the park towards Bournemouth whereas there was additionally a distinct place for Disasi.
A centre-back by commerce, the Frenchman was chosen as a makeshift right-back with James and Malo Gusto lacking. Did it go effectively? Not very, no.
Disasi was hauled off simply after the hour mark having had a nightmare 61 minutes out of place.
The defender didn’t win a single of his duels, was dribbled past twice and conceded possession on 9 events.
Providing little or no from a defensive viewpoint, he by no means troubled Andoni Iraola’s again line both, failing to offer a single cross, failing to finish a dribble and never enjoying a key move both.
On the other facet of the pitch, Pedro Neto additionally struggled and will discover himself one in every of a few gamers dropped to the bench subsequent outing.
Pedro Neto’s efficiency in numbers
As a result of depth, the attackers on this Chelsea squad are going to must be on the prime of their recreation on a constant foundation or threat being dropped instantly.
Neto is actually one of many candidates to lose his place after what The Mirror’s Alex Richards described as a “non-existent” exhibiting the place he was withdrawn on the break. In his place on got here debutant Jadon Sancho who joined on switch deadline day earlier than the worldwide break.
Why was the Portuguese winger hauled off so early? Properly, he was correct with simply 67% of his passes, made only one key move and misplaced 100% of his dribbles.
It mentioned all of it that within the second half Sancho far outperformed his new teammate, helping the profitable purpose, scored by Nkunku. Handed a 4/10 match rating by GOAL, they informed the story of how Neto was “nameless” and “barely touched the ball within the first half”.
|
Neto & Sancho vs Bournemouth |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat |
Neto |
Sancho |
|
Minutes performed |
45 |
45 |
|
Touches |
23 |
37 |
|
Correct passes |
10/15 (67%) |
24/26 (92%) |
|
Key passes |
1 |
2 |
|
Dribbles accomplished |
0/1 |
2/4 |
|
Duels received |
0/3 |
2/4 |
|
Possession misplaced |
9x |
7x |
|
Stats through Sofascore. |
||
Neto registered an help in that thrashing towards Wolves however has arguably struggled since signing from Wolves in the summertime. That mentioned, he isn’t enjoying in his only place which is the fitting flank.
For now it would take some going for the younger flanker to displace each Madueke and Palmer who’re each most well-liked on the right-hand facet.
Neto received’t begin there subsequent week and it received’t be unsurprising if he doesn’t begin on the left both with Sancho now ready within the wings to blow up into life at Stamford Bridge following his man of the match show.
