We try not to let results colour our impression of games too much, but we’re only human, and we’re only football fans.
But the fact that Chelsea came back to win on Sunday shouldn’t fool us into thinking the performance was good enough, really. There were major improvements in the second half, but that was only because we were starting from such a low base.
We all wanted Noni Madueke back in the team, but he was really infuriatingly ineffective once again. He only lasted 45 minutes, and it was notable that when Enzo Maresca was asked about the two half time changes he made, he only referred to Reece James’ planned removal. Had he been pressed on Madueke, we’re not sure he would have had many positive things to say.
The winger was given a 6.4 rating by WhoScored, and even that seems pretty generous. Nicolas Jackson got a nasty 6.0 for a truly ineffective 78 minute showing. We looked far better with Tyrique George playing in his position, which is pretty damning.
You can blame Maresca’s tactics for a lot, but we still demand more from players who are supposed to be ready for this level.
Chelsea’s wingers universally disappoint
The problem is this – we’ve complained about Jadon Sancho lacking explosiveness, Madueke lacking discipline and precision, and Pedro Neto has had his share of anonymous games too. We always want whoever isn’t in the team to play, because the ones playing disappoint us so much.
Surely George must be pushing hard for a Premier League start now he’s got his first goal in the competition? Play him out wide, play him up top, we don’t mind. He’s in better form than most of his teammates, and leaving him out for players who have been disappointing all year is madness.
We try not to let results colour our impression of games too much, but we’re only human, and we’re only football fans.
But the fact that Chelsea came back to win on Sunday shouldn’t fool us into thinking the performance was good enough, really. There were major improvements in the second half, but that was only because we were starting from such a low base.
We all wanted Noni Madueke back in the team, but he was really infuriatingly ineffective once again. He only lasted 45 minutes, and it was notable that when Enzo Maresca was asked about the two half time changes he made, he only referred to Reece James’ planned removal. Had he been pressed on Madueke, we’re not sure he would have had many positive things to say.
The winger was given a 6.4 rating by WhoScored, and even that seems pretty generous. Nicolas Jackson got a nasty 6.0 for a truly ineffective 78 minute showing. We looked far better with Tyrique George playing in his position, which is pretty damning.
You can blame Maresca’s tactics for a lot, but we still demand more from players who are supposed to be ready for this level.
Chelsea’s wingers universally disappoint
The problem is this – we’ve complained about Jadon Sancho lacking explosiveness, Madueke lacking discipline and precision, and Pedro Neto has had his share of anonymous games too. We always want whoever isn’t in the team to play, because the ones playing disappoint us so much.
Surely George must be pushing hard for a Premier League start now he’s got his first goal in the competition? Play him out wide, play him up top, we don’t mind. He’s in better form than most of his teammates, and leaving him out for players who have been disappointing all year is madness.
