Chelsea 4-2 Gent: Blues positives and negatives

Chelsea kicked off their UEFA Conference League journey with a victory at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, defeating Belgian side Gent 4-2 in what marked their 300th appearance in UEFA competitions. Renato Veiga opened the scoring for the Blues in the first half, followed by Pedro Neto doubling the lead. Gent briefly fought back with Tsuyoshi Watanabe’s strike. Still, goals from Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall extended Chelsea's lead, making Omri Gandelman’s late effort for Gent little more than a consolation.

Here are the positives and negatives from the match:

Positives

1. Mykhailo Mudryk’s Resurgence

Since Enzo Maresca’s appointment, one of his key tasks has been unlocking Mykhailo Mudryk’s potential—something Chelsea saw in him when they signed him. While there's still a way to go, the signs of progress are encouraging. Instead of relying on flashy plays, Mudryk has focused on mastering the basics. His performances were somewhat overshadowed in previous games, but on Thursday, he was Chelsea's standout attacker in the first half.

It was Mudryk's precise cross that set up Renato Veiga for the opening goal, calming Stamford Bridge's nerves. Throughout the match, he also had the most touches in the opposition box. Despite facing criticism since joining the Blues, there’s a growing sense under Maresca that Mudryk is starting to show his true potential consistently. With Chelsea boasting a wealth of attacking options, the pressure on him has eased, allowing him to grow at his own pace.

2. Renato Veiga Silencing the Doubters

Among Chelsea’s summer signings, Renato Veiga was perhaps the least familiar to fans. But in less than two months, the former Basel midfielder has more than made his mark. It wasn’t just his sublime header that impressed, but also his ability to link up with Mudryk, feeding him through balls whenever there was an opportunity. Veiga also provided crucial cover for Cesare Casadei under Gent's press, helping Chelsea move the ball forward.

3. Improved Second Half

Despite Chelsea taking the lead, their first-half display was somewhat stagnant. But once again, they looked sharper after Enzo Maresca’s halftime talk. Chelsea moved the ball more effectively, with Christopher Nkunku and Pedro Neto playing bigger roles in the build-up.

The second half started with a more direct approach. Axel Disasi, operating as a right-back, picked out Pedro Neto’s run with a brilliant long ball over the top, which the Portuguese forward finished emphatically to double the lead. Nkunku’s and Dewsbury-Hall’s goals further reflected Chelsea’s intent to maintain pressure. Had they been more clinical, the scoreline could have been even more emphatic. As the players become more familiar with each other and Maresca’s tactics, Chelsea’s performances will only improve.

Negatives

1. Slow First Half

Despite opening the scoring, Chelsea’s first-half performance left much to be desired. They played at a slow tempo, with several misplaced passes. While they enjoyed possession, they struggled to test Gent’s goalkeeper. Midfielders Cesare Casadei and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were often content to pass the ball within the back line, rather than advancing it.

2. Defensive Vulnerabilities and Conceding Two Goals

Gent’s first goal highlighted Chelsea’s defensive shortcomings. When Andri Gudjohnsen found himself with the ball at the edge of the box, five unmarked Gent players made their way to the far post. With Chelsea’s defenders too focused on the ball, Gent had an easy header, leaving Filip Jorgensen helpless.

Chelsea’s defensive setup left too much space on the wings, as both wingers pushed high up the field and Veiga inverted into midfield. A stronger opponent could have punished them more severely. Benoît Badiashile’s lackluster performance raised concerns; he failed to show urgency, reminiscent of his preseason display against Real Madrid when his half-hearted defending led to goals. If his attitude doesn’t improve, Badiashile could find himself on the periphery, especially with Aaron Anselmino set to return from loan.

Casadei, often pressed when in possession, struggled early but adapted as the match progressed. His initial struggles also affected Dewsbury-Hall and the back line. Toward the end, Chelsea took their foot off the pedal, allowing Gent to attack with five or six players and deservedly score another late goal.