Chelsea’s 2024/25 marketing campaign received off to a disappointing begin because the Blues fell 2-0 to Manchester Metropolis on Sunday.
It was a transparent enchancment on the humiliating 4-2 loss to Pep Guardiola’s facet in pre-season, however Chelsea nonetheless confirmed loads of weaknesses in a efficiency which got here shortly after the newest chapter of the circus rolled into city – Raheem Sterling’s omission from the squad.
Maintaining the deal with on-field issues, listed below are Chelsea’s finest and worst gamers from the sport in keeping with 90min‘s participant rankings.
Romeo Lavia – 6/10
On what was his first aggressive begin since becoming a member of from Southampton final summer season, Romeo Lavia shook off his damage issues with an admirable efficiency on the base of Chelsea‘s midfield.
The younger Belgian retained the momentum from a optimistic pre-season as he seemed comfy each on the ball and within the deal with towards maybe the stiffest competitors English soccer has to supply. A lot for followers to really feel enthusiastic about.
Honourable point out
Moises Caicedo – 6/10
Maintaining with Metropolis’s midfield will not be a straightforward process, and whereas he did not at all times come out on high, Moises Caicedo did sufficient to trigger issues for the reigning champions.
Tasked with doing a whole lot of the soiled work, Caicedo gleefully charged round on the hunt for a deal with. There was a transparent try to disrupt Metropolis’s momentum and Caicedo’s willingness to get bodily made that attainable.
Robert Sanchez – 3/10
Robert Sanchez’s athleticism makes him an important shot-stopper (at occasions) and he flashed these abilities towards Metropolis (at occasions), however his capability along with his toes, which is meant to be his promoting level, left so much to be desired.
Some wayward passes slowed Chelsea’s plans to play out from the again, whereas he additionally invited stress with some poor selections on the ball – one thing which can’t be allowed in a Maresca system. Filip Jorgensen is ready within the wings and moved one step nearer to a aggressive debut right here.
Dishonourable point out
Enzo Fernandez – 5/10
The newest instalment of ‘the place is Fernandez’s finest place?’ noticed Maresca use his namesake as an attacking midfielder. It hasn’t labored previously and, unsurprisingly, it did not work right here.
Carrying the captain’s armband rather than the suspended Reece James, Fernandez seemed higher when he ended up dropping deeper, however the sight of Mateo Kovacic breezing previous him for Metropolis’s second purpose ensured there can be no redemption earlier than the ultimate whistle.
