Enzo Maresca’s honeymoon phase at Chelsea is well and truly over, and it’s slowly turning into the type of bitter resentment only really seen at the West London club. Without a win in their last five Premier League games, Chelsea host Wolves on Monday.
By Alex Roberts
Reece James’ late freekick salvaged a point for Chelsea in their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, but it wasn’t enough to prevent them from falling out of the Champions League qualification spots.
Wolves haven’t been much better. Vítor Pereira has done well to take them out of the relegation zone, but they aren’t safe yet, sitting level on points (17) with Ipswich in in 18th.
Enzo Enzo make a sub
One of the biggest points of contention amongst Chelsea fans at the moment is Maresca’s seeming reluctance to trust his bench. The Italian has made just two substitutions before the hour mark across their five-game winless streak.
An asset he had once embraced, Chelsea’s immense squad depth, now seems to be nothing more than an afterthought. It’s not surprising, remembering that many names is a big ask in and of itself.
Now, many are being linked with moves away from the club, and selling would make their ultimate goal of qualifying for the Champions League all the harder.
André is too good for a relegation fight
The Brazilian midfielder’s performance was one of few positives Wolves fans can take from their 3-0 defeat to Newcastle in their previous fixture, keeping hold of him is a completely different story, however.
André was essentially a one-man team against Eddie Howe’s side, ending his game with a 97% pass accuracy rate, having created two chances, and made 11 defensive actions while his side were dominated.
If performances like that continue, the big boys will start to circle, especially if Wolves do end up going down.
Trevoh Chalobah makes his return
Chelsea went back to Chalobah, hat in hand, begging one of their best academy products to save them from potential injury crisis. Of course, ever the professional, he answered the call and could be set to make an appearance against Wolves.
With both Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile both out for extended periods, Chalobah was recalled six months into his loan spell at Crystal Palace, having been a key player for Oliver Glasner’s side.
Solid defensively and a goal threat, popping up with three goals during his time in South London, Chalobah has nothing to prove to anyone.
Matheus Cunha is the guy
The forward had been suspended for Wolves’ last three games, it’s no surprise they failed to score against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle. Cunha has been their most potent goal threat in the first half of the season, and he will make it hard for Chelsea.
Not only is he consistently scoring goals, 10 in his 20 Premier League games to be precise, but his range of goals is also remarkable. Long-range, close encounters, and even direct from corners, it doesn’t matter, Cunha simply scores goals.
He’s another player that won’t be longed for Wolves should they go down or even have to continue the battle against it. Wolves have a mid-table squad, but Cunha was better than that already.
Prediction
Last time out, Chelsea battered Wolves 2-6 at the Molineux, things are a little more nuanced now. We’re still going to go with a Chelsea win, although it won’t be anywhere near as comprehensive. 2-1 to the Blues.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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