Chelsea started life in the Premier League under Enzo Maresca by losing 2-0 to Manchester City - and fans say the Blues could face a 'relegation battle'.
While the Blues impressed during spells of the contest, they found themselves 1-0 down on 18 minutes, when City striker Erling Haaland bolstered his way through Chelsea defenders Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella to fire home past Robert Sanchez. Had Nicolas Jackson not gone full Nicolas Jackson, then Chelsea might have found an equaliser.
But the Chelsea striker was profligate in-front of goal. Then late on in the second half, midfielder Mateo Kovacic wrapped things up for Guardiola and co with a goal from outside of the box which Sanchez should have saved.
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Here's what we and Enzo Maresca learned from Chelsea clash with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge...
Shockingly, Chelsea need to make more signings
Chelsea need a striker. It is simply astonishing they have spent as much money as they have and have not addressed the most important part of their team.
Against City, Nicolas Jackson produced arguably the most Nicolas Jackson performance he could. While the Chelsea striker got into some good positions, he lacked that clinical touch that top strikers have. He had the ball in the net in the first half, but was inexplicably offside in the build-up, failing to hold his run.
Then in the second half moments before he was substituted, he had an effort from point blank range saved by Ederson. If Chelsea want to compete this season for silverware, they need to get on the phone to Napoli tonight and work out a deal for Victor Osimhen.
They didn't miss 'big names'
Prior to the game against City, Maresca made the bold call to drop both Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling entirely from the Chelsea match day squad. Both look to be coming to the end of their Chelsea career's although Maresca did downplay his decision to leave Sterling out.
However, Chelsea did not miss either. In-fact at times, they looked excellent against City. They created plenty of chances and had it not been for Jackson's profligacy in front of goal, they would have potentially come away from the game with something more meaningful than just a positive display against the defending Premier League champions.
What did you make of Chelsea and Manchester City's clash at Stamford Bridge? Let us know in the comments section below.
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KitBagA lesson in being ruthless
Chelsea were arguably the better team against City for large spells. But they just didn't take their chances. Conversely, Haaland took just 19 minutes to find himself back on the scoresheet in the Premier League, displaying a ruthless touch this Chelsea team lacks.
The City striker danced his way through the challenges of Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill to coolly finish past Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea net. Then, while the game hung in the balance, City midfielder Mateo Kovacic wrapped things up on 84 minutes with a strike from outside the box that Sanchez should have saved.
A missed opportunity
As mentioned above, Chelsea were better than City at points during the game. But their inability to take their chances meant the clash at Stamford Bridge can only be viewed as a missed opportunity for Maresca and co.
City did not start England internationals Phil Foden and Kyle Walker, while Rodri, the best holding midfielder in the world, was not involved at all. While City's line-up against Chelsea was strong, it was not their best.
They are a notably worse team without the influence of Rodri, and as such, Chelsea missed an opportunity to get their season off to a win under Maresca in the Premier League.
Overall, a promising day out - but fans could see a relegation battle
Look, Chelsea's business this summer has been chaotic. They've signed more players on long-term deals to go with the players they already have on the books on long-term deals. They sold themselves two hotels to comply with PSR. They sacked a manager who looked to have got them on the right track come the end of last season.
So when they actually looked half decent against City, creating plenty of opportunities against Guardiola's side, you have to say fair play to Maresca. He won't be happy with losing obviously, but Chelsea showed some impressive signs against City, which they can look to build upon.
However, there were plenty of football fans on social media who reckon the Blues could be set to face a relegation battle this term following their opening day defeat. One commented: "This Chelsea relegation battle gonna hit like crack" posting a picture of the Blues in 17th place above the relegation zone. Another added: "Chelsea has signed over 45 players alone with nothing to show for it. Relegation looming."
A third said: "Absolute mess that Chelsea- Sterling Chilwell and Gallagher binned off. Squad littered with big money players on the bench with 7 year contracts. Plenty of quality but no cohesion and their goalie is last." And a fourth joked: "Chelsea clearly lacking squad depth and needing to spend more money."
