There were two dominant storylines ahead of the first big game of the English Premier League season. Enzo Maresca made his debut with a direct duel against Pep Guardiola, a coach he assisted in the 2022/23 season in which he won the treble.
But at the start of the new season, there were major differences between the two teams. Manchester City left the league after winning a record fourth consecutive league title, while the west London club continues to be rocked by instability.
Will Maresca’s experience with Pep make a difference or will it be a walk in the park for Man City?
Chelsea fails despite positive aspects
While the former Leicester City manager had Chelsea playing a patient, possession-based style, beating Man City is always a head-spinning task and that feeling soured further after Erling Haaland opened the scoring in his 100th game for the club.
Chelsea kept the skilled visitors at bay until former midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who played a major role in City coping without Rodri’s presence in midfield, secured the three points with a beautiful strike.
This led to an early exit of Todd Boehly from the VIP stands. Chelsea’s notorious owner could still be active in the remaining weeks of a busy transfer window. As Maresca himself revealed, there is no immediate pressure from the higher bosses this season.
This could give them the much-needed stability that Stamford Bridge has lacked since its glory days. Including his former acquaintance, Pep has had to contend with seven Chelsea managers in his nine visits to the stadium.
From Chelsea’s perspective, however, there were a few things that made the experience different. Maresca fielded the second youngest XI of the Premier League era, while Romeo Lavia’s long-awaited debut in the starting XI was another reason for hope after the Belgian put in a composed performance.
With all four substitutes new, Maresca will have to make more important decisions in the future, something the Italian already did when he left Raheem Sterling out of the squad that played against his former club.
However, they still need more threat in front of goal. Nicolas Jackson had a frustrating evening where the usual weaknesses ruined his hard work. In the end, the numerous half-hearted penalty calls were Chelsea’s hope of getting back into the game.
As for Man City, their only new signing Savio enjoyed a successful start in England despite playing in the first half. It was also a welcome return to business as usual at the Bridge after a chaotic 4-4 draw last season.
What’s next for the teams?
Chelsea’s next game is when they host Swiss side Servette on Thursday in the first leg of their European Conference League qualifiers. On matchday two of the Premier League season, their most expensive player Pedro Neto will return to Molineux for the trip to Wolves.
Newly promoted Ipswich Town are Manchester City’s first opponents at the Etihad Stadium this season. Next month, Guardiola’s side will face a familiar opponent when Arsenal travel to Manchester. Chelsea do not have a game against a traditional top-six club until mid-October.
Before the transfer window closes, BlueCo are aiming to sign more players, including Joao Felix and Victor Osimhen, while Oscar Bobb’s unfortunate injury could mean the champions need to add another attacking player to their star-studded squad.
PHOTOS: IMAGO
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