“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 progress under the leadership of their new manager, Enzo Maresca, is becoming increasingly apparent with each passing game. The team’s journey this season began on a challenging note, as they suffered a predictable defeat against reigning champions Manchester City. However, Chelsea quickly turned things around in their next match, delivering an outstanding 6-2 victory over Wolves. This emphatic performance highlighted the team’s immense potential, with standout contributions from players like Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer, who led the charge against Gary O’Neil’s squad.
Following this promising performance, Chelsea’s momentum was unexpectedly halted by a disappointing 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. Considering Palace’s struggles this season, this result marked a significant letdown for a team that appeared to be on an upward trajectory.
Chelsea managed to reclaim their footing during their encounter with Bournemouth, securing a narrow but well-earned 1-0 victory. The winning goal came late in the game, underscoring the team’s resilience and ability to grind out results under pressure. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who had faced criticism earlier in the season, delivered a standout performance by making a crucial penalty save that kept Chelsea in contention. His heroics paved the way for Christopher Nkunku to net the decisive goal.
Despite starting the season opener against Manchester City, Nkunku has recently found himself relegated to the bench in league matches. This decision appears to reflect the increased competition for attacking roles under Maresca’s management. However, Nkunku’s impactful performance against Bournemouth might earn him a return to the starting lineup, particularly in light of some lackluster displays from his teammates.
Among those who struggled, defender Axel Disasi had one of the most underwhelming performances. Initially deployed as a central defender, Disasi was shifted to right-back to cover for the injured Reece James and unavailable Malo Gusto. Unfortunately, this tactical adjustment backfired, as Disasi struggled in the unfamiliar role. His difficulties were evident throughout the match, and he was eventually substituted after just 61 minutes.
Disasi’s poor showing was reflected in his statistics: he failed to win any individual duels, allowed opponents to bypass him twice, and lost possession nine times. Offensively, he also offered little support, failing to deliver crosses, complete dribbles, or contribute key passes.
On the opposite flank, Pedro Neto also endured a difficult outing. His performance against Bournemouth was described as “invisible,” leading to his substitution at halftime in favor of Jadon Sancho, a recent deadline-day signing. Neto’s struggles were apparent in his stats, as he completed only 67% of his passes, managed just one key pass, and failed in all his dribble attempts.
Sancho’s introduction brought a marked improvement in Chelsea’s attacking play. The debutant not only injected energy into the team but also provided the assist for Nkunku’s winning goal. His impactful performance earned him the man of the match award and has significantly bolstered his chances of becoming a regular starter.
Neto, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle to secure a place in the starting lineup, particularly on the right wing. With players like Madueke and Palmer excelling in that position, and Sancho demonstrating his potential on the left flank, Neto’s role in the squad is increasingly uncertain. To regain favor, he will need to significantly elevate his performances in the weeks ahead.
