Just five weeks after their Club World Cup triumph at MetLife Stadium, Chelsea returned to competitive action at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Despite banners celebrating their recent championship, the Blues followed up an impressive 3-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain last month with a lackluster 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace, a result that accurately mirrored their performance.
Several external factors likely contributed to Chelsea`s underwhelming display. The Club World Cup participation led to a disrupted preseason schedule for European teams that advanced far in the competition. Enzo Maresca`s squad, for instance, endured an 11-month season, followed by only three weeks of rest and a mere 13 days of preseason training before their match against Palace. In contrast, their opponents had a much more conventional preparation period. While Maresca maintained that his team was not underprepared, the unusual circumstances were hard to overlook.
“I don`t believe the team was unprepared, as we competed right until the final whistle,” Maresca stated. “We pushed for a win and created chances late in the game with Estevao and Andrey Santos, which suggests our overall competition level was quite good. Crystal Palace has already played numerous matches, whereas we had just two games last week where we rotated minutes. Today was our first real test, and I`m confident we will improve steadily.”
Upcoming Match Details & Odds
This Friday, August 22, Chelsea will travel to London Stadium to face West Ham United at 3 p.m. ET. This match presents an ideal opportunity for the Blues to move past Sunday`s performance. While Palace`s organized defense proved challenging, West Ham is unlikely to offer the same level of resistance. The Hammers are reeling from a 3-0 loss to newly-promoted Sunderland, a result that hints at a potentially difficult season for a team that has seen limited squad refreshment this summer and lacks a significant attacking threat. Betting odds place Chelsea as favorites at -145, with a draw at +300 and a West Ham win at +390.
On Sunday, Chelsea clearly dominated in attack, outshooting Palace 19 to 11 and generating significantly more expected goals. However, this was more a display of quantity over quality, as the Blues managed only three shots on target, a concerning statistic regardless of their disrupted preseason. This performance served as a stark reminder that despite their recent Club World Cup and UEFA Europa Conference League victories, Maresca`s Chelsea, while brimming with potential, remains an enigma.
Enzo Maresca currently manages a large squad filled with numerous attacking talents but is still in the process of identifying his preferred combination. Given the circumstances, particularly an ownership group keen on acquiring new players, it`s understandable that the manager hasn`t yet settled on a definitive lineup. While Cole Palmer has solidified his claim for a regular starting spot, many other positions in the attack appear to be open for competition.
Determining Chelsea`s primary attacking unit has been a recurring challenge throughout Maresca`s time at the club. The Club World Cup campaign, however, provided new insights with the integration of several new players. Liam Delap, who joined Chelsea over other European suitors, began the summer tournament as a starter. Yet, by the time the trophy was within reach, Joao Pedro had entered the fray. He joined the squad midway through the tournament, scoring three goals in three games, including one in the final, which earned him a starting position against Palace on Sunday.
Joao Pedro led the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation, flanked by Palmer, Pedro Neto, and Jamie Gittens on the wings, but their collective output was far from spectacular. Joao Pedro himself managed only two shots in 73 minutes, echoing his moderate contributions during his two years at Brighton and Hove Albion. This uninspired performance from Chelsea, however, might pave the way for Delap to secure a starting role. Additionally, 18-year-old Estevao Willian could see significant playing time this season after his impactful 36-minute appearance on Sunday.
Consequently, Friday`s encounter against West Ham feels like the unofficial beginning of trials for Chelsea`s attacking players. They will all be vying for a place in the starting XI and will be instrumental in helping the Blues fulfill the high expectations set last season.
