BREAKING NEWS: coming from Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea maresca left furious and ready to leave star player out for some games after star player constant terrible errors in game which nearly cost the team against crystal palace. He said “he should have come off at half time. But i decided to leave him even after talking to him and giving him instructions he couldnt flow. sorry but the reality is he was terrible and poor to watch, don’t care if it upsets him he cost us the 3 points today”. He should be sold”, “Was poor today” – Chelsea maresca unhappy with star’s performance despite 1-1 draw against no relentless crystal palace”.
Eberechi Eze’s exceptional goal in the second half shattered Chelsea’s hopes of securing a much-needed second consecutive Premier League victory. Once again, Chelsea’s familiar struggles with inconsistency in their performances came to the forefront. This result came just after Chelsea had delivered an outstanding 6-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, where Noni Madueke’s incredible 15-minute hat-trick had stolen the show. However, upon their return to Stamford Bridge, they faced a frustrating 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, with their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities becoming a significant issue.
In the match against Crystal Palace, Chelsea’s attack faltered compared to their ruthless display against Wolves. The team that had been so clinical in front of goal earlier seemed to have lost its edge, particularly in the decisive moments. Pedro Neto, a summer signing from Wolverhampton at a hefty price of £54 million, failed to impress during the game. Despite showing promise in his previous outing with an assist, Neto struggled to make any meaningful impact against Palace.
Neto’s performance fell far short of expectations. In only his third appearance for Chelsea, he was largely invisible, with minimal involvement in the game. Neto recorded no shots on target and managed just 22 touches of the ball throughout the match, a stark contrast to Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who had more touches with 41. Additionally, Neto’s attempts at crossing were disappointing, with none of his four attempts finding their mark, further underlining his difficulties on the pitch.
Scott Wilson of GOAL was critical of Neto’s performance, awarding him a low 4/10 rating. Wilson pointed out that Neto struggled to get involved, as most of Chelsea’s attacks were concentrated on the right flank, leaving the winger isolated and out of rhythm. This was a stark departure from the form Neto displayed at Wolves, where he contributed nine assists in just 20 Premier League matches in the previous season, even while dealing with injuries.
Chelsea now faces the challenge of making Neto’s acquisition worthwhile, given his potential to be a formidable force in the Premier League when performing at his best. However, with a crucial match against AFC Bournemouth on the horizon, head coach Enzo Maresca may contemplate benching the underperforming winger. Maresca must carefully evaluate his attacking options as he seeks to enhance Chelsea’s offensive lineup.
During the game against Palace, Maresca decided to substitute Neto in the 58th minute, bringing on Joao Felix, another recent addition who can also operate on the left wing. Felix, who rejoined Stamford Bridge this summer following his time at Atletico Madrid, is determined to secure a starting position. His promising record of six goals in ten appearances as a left winger for Atletico adds to his credentials.
Moreover, Maresca faces the task of integrating Jadon Sancho into the Chelsea squad. Sancho, who was recently acquired from Manchester United, is looking to reinvigorate his Premier League career and might be a strong contender to start in the upcoming match against Bournemouth. The international break ahead will provide Sancho with valuable time to adjust to his new environment, potentially increasing his chances of featuring in the next match.
Maresca must also address the form of Mykhaylo Mudryk, who has yet to fully justify his place in the starting eleven. Although Mudryk delivered a crucial pass late in the game against Palace, his overall contributions have been disappointing, with only seven goals and five assists in 61 appearances for Chelsea.
The international break presents Maresca with an opportunity to work intensively on the training ground and address the selection issues that have hampered Chelsea’s attack. This period will be vital for the team to regroup, enhance their consistency, and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
