5 issues we realized about Chelsea in August

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea reign is just one month outdated, nevertheless it has been filled with all of the antics, uncertainty and confusion that followers have come to know over the previous two seasons.

After starting the season with defeat to Manchester City, Maresca’s facet thumped Wolves and have been pegged again by Crystal Palace (sure we’re counting the sport on September 1 right here, recover from it), with a totally unconvincing Convention League play-off victory over Servette thrown into the combo as nicely.

There are simply as many questions surrounding Chelsea as there are solutions, however listed below are 5 key takeaways from Maresca’s first month within the Stamford Bridge dugout.

Maresca has clearly put his religion in a centre-back pairing of Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana. The duo performed each minute of Premier League motion throughout August (and the 1-1 draw with Palace on September 1).

There have been teething points – after all there have, contemplating these two have barely shared a pitch earlier than this yr – however there has undoubtedly been so much to love.

Whereas the likes of Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo are but to impress, these two kids are actually cementing themselves as a duo which followers can get behind.

2. However defensive points nonetheless stay

Proper, and with the optimism concerning the defence now out of the best way, it is time to focus on the plain elephant within the room. Chelsea have saved only one clear sheet this season, and that got here within the uncomfortable 2-0 win over Servette within the Convention League.

The defensive fragility which plagued Mauricio Pochettino’s facet is alive and kicking below Maresca, whose divisive ways undoubtedly result in an abundance of probabilities for opponents.

Whether or not the defence is not arrange proper or there is a woeful lack of canopy from midfield, Maresca has to determine the answer to this drawback in September.

3. Cole Palmer remains to be Cole Palmer

Pochettino’s departure threatened to trigger actual issues for Cole Palmer. Chelsea’s cold-blooded starboy didn’t shrink back from crediting his former boss for his breakout season, and there have been indicators early within the Maresca reign that Palmer is probably not himself this yr.

Nonetheless, with a objective and 4 assists to his identify in three Premier League video games, it is clear Palmer remains to be feeling nearly as good as ever.

Maresca realized rapidly that enjoying Palmer on the fitting wing, as he did within the 2-0 defeat to Manchester Metropolis, was not going to work. He introduced Palmer again central, and the enjoyable has not stopped since.

Maresca’s brutal method to administration has not been type to Mykhailo Mudryk, who has been on the top of a public show of frustration from the brand new boss. The arrivals of Joao Felix and Jadon Sancho are a transparent signal that Maresca doesn’t have time to develop the Ukraine worldwide.

Over on the fitting facet of the pitch, nonetheless, Noni Madueke has actually stood up and introduced himself.

Facing questions about his attitude and his performances from last season, Madueke has silenced his critics with 4 objectives in 4 video games, rapidly getting into the highlight within the course of.

5. Enzo Fernandez‘s finest place stays a thriller

Sporting the captain’s armband within the absence of the injured Reece James, now we have as soon as once more seen Enzo Fernandez trialled in a handful of various positions.

The Argentina worldwide has performed at each the highest and the underside of Chelsea’s midfield, usually switching between the 2 roles in a single sport searching for a optimistic influence.

It hasn’t been disasterous in any respect, however followers count on a lot extra from the £107m midfielder, who could also be trying over his shoulder as soon as Romeo Lavia returns to full health.