Chelsea lost their first game since the 29th August when Liverpool beat them 2-1 last weekend. However, Enzo Maresca’s side put a good performance in, holding 57% possession, limiting their opponents to just nine shots, and achieving a pass completion of 88.1% (the best at Anfield since 2004/05).
The Blues’ game plan to control the game, build out from the back, and slow the match down worked very well, especially in the first half, creating plenty of chances around the box, just lacking the final pass or action to turn those into goals.
One change Maresca did make at half-time was subbing off Jadon Sancho for Pedro Neto, as the game needed the speed out wide, and to attack at pace, whereas the Englishman was more willing to slow it down at times, and look to find the perfect pass into the box.
Sancho’s performance against Liverpool
Sancho played 45 minutes against the Reds, getting 26 touches in the game, making 18/21 accurate passes, and completing his one and only long ball. However, the 24-year-old attempted three dribbles, completing zero, attempted three ground duels, completing zero, and lost possession seven times.
The introduction of Neto was the correct decision by Maresca, adding a bit more pace and directness out wide. The Portugal international played 45 minutes, managing 30 touches, completing 17/21 passes, but making three key passes, completing two of three crosses and winning two duels.
The English winger has made a good start to life at Chelsea since joining this summer, making five appearances and providing three assists.
Sancho provided the assist for Christopher Nkunku’s winner against Bournemouth on his debut and has shown his creative passing range and ability to find box entries from wide areas.
Chelsea face Panathinaikos next in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday night, and Maresca has named his squad. Sancho is among it but it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll start…
Chelsea team news to face Panathinaikos
The Chelsea squad to face Panathinaikos on Thursday will be without the likes of Marcus Bettinelli, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer, who have all remained at Cobham, not travelling to Greece, as they are not registered to compete in this stage of the UEFA Conference League.
However, there will be others missing too, as Levi Colwill, Moises Caicedo, Nicolas Jackson, Reece James, and Malo Gusto have also stayed in England, not travelling with the squad for their mid-week game.
These omissions could see Benoit Badiashile starting at left centre-back in Colwill’s absence, Enzo Fernández playing in a deeper midfield role with no Lavia or Caicedo, a start for Christopher Nkunku upfront with Jackson not available for selection, and a likely spot for Axel Disasi at right-back, with both Gusto and James not in Greece.
The entire travelling squad consists of Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, and Lucas Bergstrom in goal while Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella, Axel Disiasi and Renato Veiga make up the defensive positions.
In midfield, Enzo Fernández, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Cesare Casadei, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Samuel Rak-Sakyi have been named. In attack there are spots for Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk, Neto, João Félix, Nkunku, Sancho, Tyrqiue George, Marc Guiu, and 17-year-old, Shumaira Mhueka.
