Negatives
1. Levi Colwill’s Costly Mistake
West Ham’s goal resulted from a careless Chelsea mistake. A loose backward pass allowed Jarrod Bowen to gain possession and charge into Chelsea’s box before scoring. Instead of tracking back immediately, Levi Colwill was more focused on complaining to the referee for a perceived foul. While Tosin Adarabioyo could have done better in closing down Bowen, the primary error was from Colwill. His pass completion percentage was a very poor 80.
This was another instance of Colwill’s mistakes leading to a Chelsea goal after the last match against Manchester City. While he remains a fan favorite due to his Cobham academy ties, some supporters rate him as one of the league’s top center-backs despite a lack of consistency. Since Wesley Fofana’s injury, Colwill’s form has been disappointing more often than not.
2. Nicolas Jackson & Noni Madueke’s Struggles
Madueke created a few chances, but overall, he was ineffective. The same can be said for Nicolas Jackson. Both players have been underwhelming for some time, yet they continue to start regularly. Jadon Sancho is also slowly falling into that category.
It’s time for poor performances to have consequences. Chelsea have good squad depth, and Maresca must trust the other options on the bench. His decision to substitute all three early in the second half was a promising sign that he recognizes the issue.
3. A Poor First Half
Although Chelsea improved in the second half, the first 45 minutes were a continuation of the frustrating football that has left fans disillusioned over the past month and a half. The team lacked ideas, frequently resorting to sideways and backward passes instead of progressing the ball forward. Audible groans from the Stamford Bridge crowd reflected their frustration.
On multiple occasions, players had space to move forward but instead played it safe, opting for risk-free passes. If Maresca wants Chelsea to secure a top-four finish, he cannot continue coaching the team in this passive manner.