Chelsea's much-heralded £250m attacking squad failed to make an impact as they were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge. The Blues, who spent heavily on new recruits this summer, struggled to break down a resolute Palace side, despite creating chances and dominating possession.
Chelsea's line-up featured six attackers, including £55m signing Joao Pedro, £52m winger Jamie Gittens, and £45m forward Pedro Neto. The club also introduced £40m attacking midfielder Cole Palmer in a central role. However, it was Palace who dominated the early stages, with Eberechi Eze's 13th-minute free-kick ruled out by VAR due to Palace captain Marc Guehi being too close to the defensive wall.
Chelsea made changes in the second half, introducing £29m winger Estevao Willian and £30m striker Liam Delap, but neither could convert their opportunities. Substitute Andrey Santos also missed a golden chance in the closing stages, leaving the Blues empty-handed at the end of the game.
The match highlighted some concerning statistics for Chelsea. They managed just three shots on target compared to Palace's four, while their expected goals (xG) tally of 1.81 was higher than Palace's 1.07. This marked the Blues' highest xG figure without scoring in a league match since a 2-0 defeat at Ipswich Town in December 2022. The result underscores issues with finishing and creativity, areas that will need improvement if Chelsea is to challenge for the Premier League title.
Manager Enzo Maresca dismissed concerns about the team's pre-season preparation, which was cut short due to their Club World Cup victory. "We competed until the end," he said. "We tried to win the game, and at least we showed some fight. We'll get better as the season progresses." Maresca also praised young defender Josh Acheampong, who stepped in for the injured Levi Colwill and performed well against Palace's attacking threats.
Chelsea's focus now shifts to building consistency and improving their goal-scoring efficiency. The club remains active in the transfer market, with reports linking them to Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho and RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline. Meanwhile, the Blues are also considering sales, with striker Nicolas Jackson and midfielder Christopher Nkunku potentially on their way out.
While this was just one game, the result sets the tone for Chelsea's 2023-24 campaign. The challenge ahead is clear: they must quickly build on their Club World Cup success and prove that their hefty investment can translate into league success. With a new season ahead, all eyes will be on whether Chelsea can rise to the occasion and challenge the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League crown.
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