Chelsea overcame a stubborn Servette side at Stamford Bridge in the qualifiers for the inaugural edition of the 36-team UEFA Conference League. Christopher Nkunku put Chelsea ahead from the penalty spot after being brought down in the box by Servette's goalkeeper, Jeremy Frick, following a precise through ball from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Madueke, a second-half substitute, sealed the victory in the 76th minute, after being set up by Chelsea captain Enzo Fernandes. The win for the Blues was far from straightforward, as Servette created several chances and could have punished Chelsea had they been more clinical in front of goal.
Chelsea is a real work in progress
Chelsea head coach, Enzo Maresca, made nine changes to the team that suffered a devastating home defeat against Manchester last Sunday. Only Christopher Nkunku and Moses Caicedo, who captained the side, retained their places in the starting eleven. There were debuts for several summer signings, including Filip Jörgensen, Renato Veiga, Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marc Gui, and Pedro Neto.
Chelsea started well and could have taken an early lead through Guiu. However, from then on, Servette took control of the game, dominating proceedings in the first half with two shots on target and five corners. Some sections of the home fans booed the Chelsea players as they headed into halftime.
Although Chelsea came out flying in the second half and deservedly took the lead through Nkunku’s penalty in the 50th minute, they lacked the composure to control the game effectively. They allowed the fifth-placed Swiss side too many chances. Their passing was too predictable, and the build-up play was too slow. Maresca acknowledged that the team could have managed the latter stages of the game better after going 2-0 up.
Mykhaylo Mudryk Chelsea's Conundrum
Mudryk played the full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea's reliance on their wingers in the first half, with the ball frequently sent out wide to Mudryk and Neto, failed to spark the needed attacking threat. Despite Mudryk's efforts to stay involved by constantly seeking the ball, the Ukrainian winger's output was poor.
Mudryk gave the ball away too easily, and his final passes lacked precision. There have been ongoing concerns about his confidence over the past two seasons at Stamford Bridge, and it's becoming increasingly uncertain when he will find that confidence and start delivering consistently for the team. With Raheem Sterling gone from the first team, one would expect Mudryk to feature more regularly this season. However, there are still other players like Joao Felix and Nkunku eager to step up and take control of that position on the pitch.
Marc Guiu: Another Nicolas Jackson?
Nicolas Jackson's profligacy in front of goal reached a boiling point in the defeat against Manchester City in the FA Cup last season. Although the Senegalese striker scored 14 league goals and is known for his work rate last season, many believe he is not the type of striker to lead Chelsea's project.
Marc Guiu, signed in the summer, featured heavily in pre-season, scoring one goal. The Spanish forward made his debut at Stamford Bridge against Servette and could have announced himself early on after being put through on goal. However, he somehow failed to hit the target. The miss of the match came in the second half when he wrestled the ball from the opponent’s goalkeeper and charged at goal, but his tame effort was saved as he lost his composure, failing to find the back of the net.
Joao Felix would surely be encouraged by what he has seen at Stamford Bridge so far. The Portuguese international will be confident of forcing his way into the starting eleven as soon as possible.
