“I have said this multiple times but this is the final straw. Their performance during yesterday’s match was the last straw. He has only been a disappointment” – This is according to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba as he claims that The manager needs to immediately bench the Chelsea player who failed to win any of their challenges, despite having a decent overall performance rating of 4 out of 10

Chelsea’s journey under new manager Enzo Maresca is showing increasing signs of progress as the team adjusts to his vision and tactics.

The season began with a predictable yet challenging defeat against reigning champions Manchester City, a result that underscored the gap Chelsea needed to bridge. However, the team demonstrated remarkable resilience and potential in their next outing, achieving an emphatic 6-2 victory over Wolves. This dominant performance highlighted the attacking prowess of players such as Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer, who were instrumental in dismantling Gary O’Neil’s side.

Despite this encouraging upward momentum, Chelsea faced a stumbling block with a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, a team currently struggling for form. This result was seen as a setback, disrupting what had appeared to be a promising trend for the club. Nevertheless, Chelsea regained their footing in a hard-fought 1-0 win against Bournemouth during a tense Saturday evening clash. The victory came late in the game, thanks to goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s pivotal performance, which included a decisive penalty save that kept Chelsea alive and paved the way for Christopher Nkunku’s dramatic late winner.

Nkunku, who started in the season opener against Manchester City, has found himself relegated to the bench for league games, likely due to fierce competition for attacking roles under Maresca’s management. However, with some underwhelming performances from his teammates over the weekend, Nkunku could be reinstated to the starting lineup in the coming matches.

One of the most glaring struggles came from defender Axel Disasi. Typically deployed as a central defender, Disasi was positioned at right-back in the Bournemouth match due to injuries to both Reece James and Malo Gusto. This tactical shift proved to be a misstep, as Disasi’s unfamiliarity with the role was evident throughout his 61 minutes on the pitch, culminating in his early substitution. His poor performance was underscored by concerning statistics: he failed to win any one-on-one duels, lost possession nine times, and allowed opponents to dribble past him on two occasions. Offensively, Disasi offered little support, failing to complete any crosses, dribbles, or key passes.

On the opposite flank, Pedro Neto also endured a challenging game. His lackluster first-half performance, marked by a 67% pass accuracy, just one key pass, and no successful dribbles, led to his substitution at halftime. New signing Jadon Sancho replaced Neto, immediately making an impact by assisting Nkunku’s decisive goal. Sancho’s strong debut earned him the man-of-the-match title, a stark contrast to Neto’s performance, which was described as “invisible” by critics.

Neto, despite providing an assist in the earlier victory over Wolves, has struggled to make a consistent impact since his move from the Midlands. Part of the issue lies in his deployment outside his preferred right-wing position, a role currently occupied by the in-form Madueke and Palmer. This makes it increasingly unlikely that Neto will reclaim his spot in the starting lineup anytime soon, especially given Sancho’s promising debut.

Chelsea’s wealth of attacking options ensures that players face relentless competition to secure and retain starting roles. Under Maresca’s leadership, there is little room for inconsistency, and every player must prove their value on the pitch to maintain their place in the squad.