Chelsea continued their winning run in the UEFA Conference League with an impressive 4-1 victory over Panathinaikos in Athens. A brace from João Félix, Mykhailo Mudryk’s first goal of the season, and a Christopher Nkunku penalty sealed the win for Enzo Maresca's side. At the same time, Facundo Pellistri netted a consolation goal for the hosts. The Blues now top the 32-team league table.
Here’s a look at the positives and negatives from the match:
Positives
1. Another Big Win
Thursday’s game marked the sixth time this season that the Blues have scored at least three goals in a match, highlighting the significant improvements Enzo Maresca has brought in a short time. Two years ago, Chelsea struggled to find the net, achieving three or more goals in only four matches across an entire season.
But the progress goes beyond just goals. The team’s ball movement and spatial awareness have been a breath of fresh air. Chelsea consistently invited Panathinaikos players to press them deep before skillfully bypassing the pressure to find space in the middle and advance the ball. Despite home fans’ jeers and minimal opposition movement, defenders like Benoît Badiashile remained composed and executed their roles effectively. The tactic worked almost perfectly, allowing players like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Enzo Fernández, and Marc Cucurella to push the ball forward smoothly.
2. Standout Performances from Mudryk and Badiashile
One of Maresca’s major tasks was developing the many young players in his squad. Each player is at a different stage of development, presenting a complex challenge. Still, Maresca’s impact is evident just four months into his tenure. Mykhailo Mudryk’s transformation has been a standout example. His raw talent was clear, but he struggled to showcase it under previous managers. Maresca has taken the time to nurture his skills, and though Mudryk still has progress to make, he’s looking like a different player.
Mudryk contributed to three goals on Thursday, assisting João Félix twice and scoring one himself. The hug he shared with Maresca underscored how much he values the coach’s support. Mudryk was also active defensively, notching two recoveries.
Another player who’s shown improvement since the international break is Benoît Badiashile. After a shaky start to the season, his performances against Liverpool and Panathinaikos have been much stronger. On Thursday, he maintained possession well, drawing in Panathinaikos players before passing wide or forward to help Chelsea exploit the spaces left by their pressing.
3. Goal Involvements Across the Front Four
Goal involvement is crucial for attacking players, as it boosts their confidence and form. It was, therefore, a positive that all four front players contributed. João Félix netted twice before earning a penalty converted by Christopher Nkunku. Mudryk assisted both of Félix’s goals and scored one himself, courtesy of a Pedro Neto assist.
These performances make a strong case for all four to feature in Chelsea’s Premier League lineup.
Negatives
Young Players Need Time
Chelsea’s comfortable lead allowed Maresca to give valuable minutes to Marc Guiu, Tyrique George, Cesare Casadei, and Carney Chukwuemeka. George, in particular, looked eager to make an impression, and teammates tried to involve him. However, despite showing promise, he appeared uncertain in the final third. This reflects the challenge of transitioning to senior football.
Both young players and fans must appreciate why Maresca is carefully managing their development. Granting them meaningful minutes reflects his commitment to their growth. Each appearance is a learning opportunity that will aid them in their careers, helping them gauge their readiness for more Premier League minutes, further experience in youth competitions, or potential loan spells.