Chelsea plan to launch the Enzo Maresca era with a bang, having reportedly secured a deal to sign Basel’s talented youngster, Renato Veiga.
The London club stumbled, earning no more than a draw against the League One side.
Enzo Maresca faced a rude awakening, and it only took one game. Although pre-season results can be deceptive, Chelsea’s inconsistency was glaring as they were matched, if not outplayed, by a disciplined Wrexham side in a 2-2 draw during their first friendly on their United States tour.
Maresca attempted to implement his system: three at the back, advanced wing-backs, and trendy inversion from wide players stepping into midfield. At times, Chelsea pieced together fluid attacking moves, but individual mistakes and mishaps in the final third let them down. At other moments, they appeared confused and disorganized, making them too easy to play against.
After a frustrating opening 30 minutes, Chelsea took the lead when Christopher Nkunku hammered home from close range after a messy sequence. They should have scored more, given their dominance of the ball and territory in Wrexham’s half.
However, a much-changed side struggled in the second half. Wrexham deserved their equalizer, with Luke Bolton sneaking in at the far post for an easy tap-in after an hour. Ten minutes later, Jack Marriott darted through a collapsing Chelsea defense to stroke the ball into the far corner. A late strike from Lesley Ugochukwu secured an appropriate draw.
Even though the result didn’t matter materially, the game offered a glimpse of team formation, though positives were hard to find. Chelsea looked good in the first half but woeful in the second, with their defense repeatedly collapsing.
Meanwhile, Wrexham can take pride in an impressive all-around performance, showing they can compete with the big boys once the season begins.
Here is a breakdown of the winners & losers from Levi’s Stadium:
WINNER: Christopher Nkunku
Chelsea fans had every reason to be thrilled about Nkunku when the Blues signed him last year. He had been a dominant force at RB Leipzig during the 2022-23 season, arguably the best player in the Bundesliga for significant stretches.
However, like many others, injuries marred his campaign, preventing him from finding his rhythm at Stamford Bridge. This year, that must change, especially if he stays fit. His role remains uncertain, but with Nicolas Jackson not quite reliable enough to shoulder the goal-scoring burden, someone must step up. Nkunku’s neat finish was a promising start.
LOSER: Enzo Maresca
Growing pains were inevitable for Chelsea this preseason. Maresca, the new manager, is leading a team with an oversized roster and trying to implement a brand-new style. Given his lack of top-flight experience, he faces inevitable criticism. This first outing didn’t go as planned, with Chelsea looking abysmal after the break.
Despite the disappointment, there were positives. Though the match lacked excitement, the foundations of a new team were visible. The build-up structure was evident in the first half, with inverted full-backs and forwards making smart runs. At times, the team looked lethal on the counterattack.
However, the defending was often woeful. Maresca has considerable work ahead if Chelsea are to push for Europe this year.
WINNER: Rob McElhenney & Ryan Reynolds
Let’s be clear: Wrexham are a solid football team. Now competing in League One, the celebrity-owned side has improved year after year, and recently held their own against two Premier League teams.
What began as a vanity project has turned into something more serious. Whether the celebrity owners genuinely believed in the team’s potential is debatable, but Wrexham played impressively. Sure, they are further into their preseason than Chelsea, and yes, it was only a friendly. However, this was a textbook performance from a lower-division side against a Premier League team: disciplined, clever, and brave. They’re no longer just a documentary subject.
LOSER: Ben Chilwell
After being left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad, one would expect Chilwell to enter this game with something to prove. As vice-captain, he had every reason to feel aggrieved when the England manager chose not to bring a left-footed left-back to the tournament.
However, if he had any extra fire, it was not evident. Chilwell was sloppy from the moment he stepped on the pitch, making numerous loose passes and failing to connect with his teammates. His poor positioning at the far post also led to Wrexham’s goal, allowing an easy tap-in.
Stay tuned with Sports Vibe as we continue to bring you all the latest pre-season news from all your favorite clubs.
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