Eberechi Eze’s outstanding goal in the second half dealt a blow to Chelsea’s hopes of securing a second consecutive Premier League victory, once again exposing the team’s ongoing struggles with consistency.
This latest setback came after a spectacular 6-2 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where Noni Madueke shone with a brilliant 15-minute hat-trick.
However, returning to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea faced frustration as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace, largely due to their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
In the match against Crystal Palace, Chelsea failed to replicate the attacking dynamism they had shown against Wolves, particularly in the decisive moments around the opposition’s goal.
The team that had been so clinical in front of the net just days before now found themselves unable to break down Palace’s defense effectively.
One of the most notable disappointments was Pedro Neto, Chelsea’s recent £54 million signing from Wolverhampton. Neto, who had made a strong impression in the previous game with an assist, struggled significantly in this match.
Neto’s lackluster performance was far from the impact Chelsea expected when they brought him in over the summer.
In just his third appearance for the club, Neto found it difficult to get involved in the action.
His contributions were minimal, registering no shots on target and managing only 22 touches of the ball—surprisingly fewer than Chelsea’s goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, who had 41 touches.
Neto’s inability to provide any accurate crosses from his four attempts further underscored his difficulties on the pitch.
Scott Wilson, writing for GOAL, rated Neto’s performance a low 4/10, observing that the winger struggled to influence the game as Chelsea’s attacks were predominantly channeled through the right flank.
This left Neto isolated and largely ineffective, a stark contrast to his form at Wolves, where he had recorded nine assists in 20 Premier League appearances during the previous season, despite battling injuries.
Chelsea will be hoping that Neto’s signing ultimately proves to be a valuable addition, given his potential to pose a significant threat to Premier League defenses when he is in peak form.
However, with a critical match against AFC Bournemouth looming, head coach Enzo Maresca might consider benching the underperforming winger.
Maresca faces a difficult decision as he evaluates his attacking options in a bid to bolster Chelsea’s frontline.
During the encounter with Crystal Palace, Maresca decided to substitute Neto in the 58th minute, bringing on Joao Felix, another new signing who is also capable of playing on the left wing.
Felix, who returned to Stamford Bridge this summer following a period with Atletico Madrid, is determined to secure a regular starting position.
His performances thus far have been encouraging, with six goals in ten appearances as a left winger for Atletico, suggesting that he could be a key player for Chelsea moving forward.
In addition to Neto and Felix, Maresca must also figure out how to incorporate Jadon Sancho into Chelsea’s lineup.
Sancho, recently acquired from Manchester United, is looking to revive his Premier League career and could be a strong contender to start against Bournemouth.
The upcoming international break will provide Sancho with valuable time to adjust to his new environment, which may increase his chances of featuring prominently in the next match.
Maresca is also grappling with the inconsistent form of Mykhaylo Mudryk, who has yet to fully justify his place in the starting lineup.
Although Mudryk made an important pass late in the game against Palace, his overall contributions have been underwhelming, with just seven goals and five assists in 61 appearances for Chelsea to date.
With an extended international break ahead, Maresca has a critical opportunity to address the issues that have plagued Chelsea’s attack on the training ground.
This break could be pivotal for the team as they seek to regroup and find the consistency needed to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
As Chelsea prepares for their upcoming fixtures, the ability to solve these selection dilemmas and improve their offensive cohesion will be crucial to their success this season.