Chelsea 0-2 Man Metropolis: What did we study from Enzo Maresca’s first recreation in cost at Stamford Bridge? | Soccer Information

Manchester Metropolis’s Premier League title defence received off to a successful begin at Stamford Bridge, ruining Enzo Maresca’s first recreation in cost as Chelsea head coach.

Erling Haaland’s first objective of the season got here after simply 19 minutes, earlier than Mateo Kovacic minimize via Chelsea’s midfield to safe all three factors for Metropolis with a long-range effort within the second half.

Chelsea customary uncommon hopeful attacking strikes as they have been largely outclassed by Pep Guardiola’s aspect.

However Maresca stated: “I think we competed very well for much of the game. We were similar if not better. The performance was there but we didn’t take the chances.

“In all probability the massive distinction was contained in the field. I am fairly joyful by way of efficiency. For me, the essential factor is to create possibilities. We did not rating however we created possibilities.”

Here is what we realized from Maresca’s Premier League bow…

How does Maresca deal with a bloated squad?

Some report it’s 43, some have stated it’s within the 50s. The reality is that the common variety of gamers Chelsea have had of their squad over the previous 10 years is 48, so at 42 by my reckoning, they’re at present working with fewer gamers than that. You may make 5 substitutions and have 9 on the bench.

Maresca’s first-team squad can be between 25 and 28. It’s a narrative that has constructed up however it’s not solely correct. Having completed sixth final season, they have been additionally simply three wins away from a Cup and Champions League place.

This was the primary recreation – on August 18 – of an 11-month season that is because of finish on July 13 following the FIFA Membership World Cup. Maresca will streamline his squad and make extra ruthless calls. Towards a well-oiled Metropolis aspect, this was an early actuality test of the dimensions of the duty he faces.

This was a great time to play Chelsea as Maresca continues to put the foundations to his reign, however Metropolis haven’t received 4 Premier League titles in a row by taking a visit to Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend flippantly. This was an expert job from begin to end.

In contrast, questions abound on the efficacy of the Clearlake Capital operation and Chelsea have lots of excellent enterprise to conclude earlier than September. It is going to be a thrill a minute underneath Maresca off the pitch, however his adjustments within the second half solely briefly reignited perception in rescuing a draw.

Issues enjoying out from the again

Simply as was witnessed within the 4-2 defeat by Metropolis in pre-season, Chelsea have been steadfast in enjoying out from the again – even when the choice actually was not on. Jeremy Doku should have punished Malo Gusto when his shot deflected off Wesley Fofana and drew an excellent save from Robert Sanchez when Metropolis have been already within the ascendancy.

Sanchez then handed straight to Kevin De Bruyne barely 90 seconds into the second half in searching for Cole Palmer however his carelessness prevented extreme ramifications.

There have been loads of groans within the first half when each Levi Colwill and Fofana have been too sluggish of their build-up play, even ponderous on the ball because of a scarcity of motion in entrance of them. Maresca is making an attempt to breathe braveness into his gamers as Pep Guardiola has accomplished at Metropolis, in a approach he’ll know solely too effectively having labored with the Catalan as his assistant.

It is a perfect the brand new boss is not going to waiver from after one recreation however the teething issues that have been witnessed finishing up these directions to work via the thirds have been evident once more right here.

Lavia’s new starting

Romeo Lavia impressed throughout Southampton’s 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge in February 2023, a lot in order that Chelsea forked out £58m on the 20-year-old Belgian final summer time.

However Lavia performed simply 32 minutes in a single substitute look throughout an injury-ravaged first season through which he labored underneath Mauricio Pochettino.

With Maresca in cost, this felt like a brand new starting and Lavia can take encouragement from the 65 minutes earlier than his withdrawal, constructing on a robust pre-season.

In searching for an equaliser, Maresca turned to the outdated Plan A of enjoying Moises Caicedo alongside Enzo Fernandez as Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor took on the No 10 function.

Lavia had 49 touches, which was solely bettered by Marc Cucurella (69) throughout his time on the pitch.

Enzo handed Gallagher function

Conor Gallagher was Pochettino’s highway runner, beginning the press as Chelsea’s most superior of the midfield three. Fernandez assumed that place towards the defending champions, however he was not tied to it.

A stunning swap of play to Gusto having dropped deep – Harry Kane-like – was the very best cross of the opening half whereas he operated up on the proper within the second half to slip an inviting ball throughout the field that wanted diverting broad by Rico Lewis on the far put up.

In a season the place there can be many shifting items at Chelsea, Fernandez is more likely to be one of many few constants. It was essential the Argentine produced a mature show off the again of his Copa America misdemeanor however that well-documented act of misconduct is now behind him.

Gallagher is caught in a holding sample and we have no idea at this cut-off date if his deal to Atletico Madrid can be revived. The Spanish membership have to discover a answer to generate the required funds. For so long as that rumbles on, Fernandez is more likely to retain his place larger up the pitch.

Kovacic show highlights midfield points

Chelsea’s three-man midfield price the membership a mixed £255m, and but it was a former participant who appeared probably the most convincing in a Metropolis shirt. Mateo Kovacic made 221 appearances throughout a five-year spell at Stamford Bridge, however he impressed within the absence of Rodri on the base of Guardiola’s midfield.

Not recognized for his targets, his clincher was a cultured disguised end and well-merited.

Given Metropolis misplaced three of the 4 video games when Rodri was absent final season, it was an essential hurdle overcome on the opening day by the champions, who’re unbeaten when the Spaniard has performed previously 18 months.

Maresca chosen 11 gamers from the beginning who all knew one another from final season, however by the tip, he had Dewsbury-Corridor, Renato Veiga, Pedro Neto and Marc Guiu on the pitch.

That signalled simply why it was so essential for Chelsea to attain first. In searching for contemporary impetus, Maresca turned to gamers untested in these environment and so the crew’s quest for parity resembled a search occasion amongst strangers within the evening.

Jackson’s acquainted drawback

Solely Darwin Nunez (33) has been offside extra since begin of final season than Nicolas Jackson. On Sunday, the thirtieth of the flags towards him denied Chelsea an equaliser simply earlier than the break.

Ederson’s error was pounced on by the Senegalese striker however his close-range end was rightly dominated out. He had simply didn’t get again onside.

Jackson is finest when performing on intuition, he did on the hour-mark when he peeled off Ruben Dias to acrobatically power the save from Ederson from Lavia’s header again into the field.

It might show the closest Chelsea got here to a leveller as he was withdrawn not lengthy after, taking his seat on the bench and reflecting once more on what may need been. It progressively was a strong first season in England for Jackson, who completed on 17 targets in the course of the 2023/24 marketing campaign underneath Pochettino.

Chelsea ended the sport with simply two pictures heading in the right direction, however with a superior xG to their opponents. Jackson usually wants three possibilities to attain as soon as. With Christopher Nkunku now match and Maresca with a humiliation of riches throughout the ahead line, each clean will really feel pricey.

Will Chelsea be caught with Sterling?

The pre-match build-up was dominated by Raheem Sterling’s entourage releasing an ill-timed assertion on the participant’s omission from the squad. He, together with Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and Axel Disasi had been not noted.

Chilwell has been recovering from an sickness however has been informed to search for a brand new membership whereas Maresca stated Disasi was nonetheless coming again to full health. However for Chukwuemeka and Sterling, their absence was for “technical reasons”.

Sterling clearly didn’t take that information very effectively. On £325,000 per week, it’s exhausting to think about there can be a queue lining as much as signal the 29-year-old, whose profession seems to be in gradual decline.

Each participant and membership have signalled a necessity for readability within the coming days. From the skin, it could seem that Chelsea are simply wanting to get his massive wages off the books.

When requested about Sterling’s future afterwards, Maresca stated: “I don’t know [if he will be part of my plans]. It’s a technical decision and in the next days we will clarify the situation.

“I need Raheem Sterling, however I need all of the 30 gamers that now we have. There may be not area for all of them so a few of them should depart.”