Chelsea’s return to Premier League action in the new year didn’t go as planned, as the Blues were held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Here’s a breakdown of the positives and negatives from the match.
Positives
1. Cole Palmer: The Key Attacker
Chelsea’s top scorer of 2024 wasted no time opening his account for 2025. Palmer struck early in the first half, capitalizing on excellent play by Jadon Sancho. Beyond the goal, Palmer’s impact was felt every time he was near the penalty box, constantly seeking teammates to set up scoring opportunities.
Even from midfield, the young Englishman displayed creativity, including a sublime half-volley through ball to Nicolas Jackson. Unfortunately, Jackson squandered those chances, letting down Palmer’s efforts.
2. Jadon Sancho: First-Half Spark
Sancho was instrumental in Chelsea’s first-half attacks, complementing Palmer’s brilliance. His intelligent dummy and quick feet paved the way for the opening goal, and his movements troubled Palace defenders Daniel Muñoz and Chris Richards.
While his influence waned in the second half, it was still a solid showing from the on-loan Manchester United man.
3. Josh Acheampong: A Promising Start
After back-to-back defeats, Enzo Maresca finally gave Josh Acheampong his Premier League debut. For a young Cobham graduate making his first start, Acheampong exceeded expectations with his confidence and positive intent.
He consistently looked to find attackers with his passes and showed promising composure. With Wesley Fofana likely out for the season due to a hamstring injury, Acheampong’s continued involvement could prove beneficial for Chelsea. Maresca must trust and give the youngster more minutes.
Negatives
1. Nicolas Jackson’s Finishing Woes
Chelsea’s 2023-24 season was plagued by dropped points due to poor finishing from Jackson, and despite scoring 14 goals, was among the league’s top players for missed chances. While he started this season well, recent matches suggest his form might have been a fleeting "purple patch."
At Selhurst Park, Jackson missed multiple opportunities. In one instance, he failed to anticipate Maxence Lacroix’s tackle, and late in the second half, he missed a sitter, sending his shot wide of the far post. It’s becoming increasingly clear that Chelsea cannot yet rely on Jackson to lead the line effectively at the moment.
2. Enzo Maresca’s Tactical Missteps
While Maresca’s starting XI showed promise with Acheampong’s inclusion, the decision to bring back Robert Sánchez was questionable. Filip Jorgensen had not performed poorly enough to warrant losing his spot.
Despite making some good saves, Sánchez’s old issues resurfaced—poor distribution, giving the ball away cheaply, and hesitating to release it for counterattacks. His return suggests that some players are untouchable under Maresca.
Chelsea’s struggles against Daniel Muñoz mirrored their issues against Fulham’s Antonee Robinson on Boxing Day defeat. Muñoz repeatedly exploited space behind Marc Cucurella, and Chelsea had no plan to stop him or take advantage of the gaps he left behind.
Tactically, Chelsea lacked ideas, managing just one shot on target—the goal from Palmer. Despite having five substitutions available, Maresca made only two, highlighting his reluctance to trust his bench. This approach does little to inspire confidence among the squad.
3. Cole Palmer’s Rare Misstep
While Palmer was Chelsea’s standout performer, his mistake directly led to Crystal Palace’s equalizer. A poor giveaway in midfield allowed Palace to capitalize, and while such errors are rare for him, fans expect more from a player of Palmer’s caliber.
Additionally, his corners were subpar, repeatedly failing to clear the first man. For someone of his quality, this is unacceptable and needs to improve to create more scoring opportunities for the team.