Chelsea’s development under new manager Enzo Maresca is becoming increasingly evident.
Although the season began with a predictable loss to defending champions Manchester City, Chelsea responded emphatically with a dominant 6-2 win over Wolves.
Key players like Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer shone in the convincing victory over Gary O’Neil’s side.
However, their progress hit a snag with a disappointing 1-1 draw against struggling Crystal Palace, disrupting the team’s momentum.
Chelsea quickly rebounded, though, with a narrow 1-0 win over Bournemouth, secured in the dying moments of the match.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez played a pivotal role in the victory, delivering a standout performance that included a crucial penalty save, paving the way for Christopher Nkunku’s decisive late goal.
Nkunku, who started in the season opener against Manchester City, has since been relegated to the bench in league matches due to fierce competition for attacking spots.
After some lackluster performances from teammates over the weekend, he could return to the starting lineup in the next match.
Defensively, Maresca continues to face challenges, particularly with the absence of captain Reece James.
The additions of Tosin Adarabioyo and Renato Veiga have provided some depth, but defensive consistency remains a work in progress.
Axel Disasi, filling in as a right-back in James and Malo Gusto’s absence, struggled significantly in the role.
Substituted after 61 minutes against Bournemouth, Disasi’s performance was marred by poor defensive and offensive contributions. He failed to win any duels, lost possession nine times, and offered no attacking threat.
On the opposite flank, Pedro Neto had a similarly disappointing outing. Substituted at halftime, he was replaced by Jadon Sancho, who made an immediate impact by assisting Nkunku’s winner.
Neto’s lackluster stats, including a 67% pass completion rate and no successful dribbles, reflected his struggles.
Sancho’s debut performance, which earned him man of the match honors, showcased his potential to claim a starting role. Neto, meanwhile, is at risk of losing his position entirely as competition in Chelsea’s attack intensifies.
Despite an assist in the Wolves match, Neto has yet to fully adjust to his new environment. Playing out of his preferred right-wing position, he faces stiff competition from in-form Madueke and Palmer.
With Sancho also proving his quality, Neto must significantly improve to secure a spot in Maresca’s starting lineup moving forward.
