Chelsea’s recent 3-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium has raised concerns about the effectiveness of their costly signings, particularly in midfield.
The Blues, despite a promising start, failed to maintain their early momentum, with key players struggling to impose themselves when it mattered most.
Chelsea took the lead in just the third minute through Noni Madueke, setting an optimistic tone for the game.
They had opportunities to extend their advantage, but a poorly directed pass from Cole Palmer prevented Nicolas Jackson from capitalizing on a crucial chance.
City eventually found an equalizer before halftime, courtesy of Josko Gvardiol, which shifted the momentum in their favor.
The second half proved challenging for Chelsea as Manchester City took full control of the game.
Despite their initial resilience, Chelsea managed only one shot on target after halftime and saw a drastic drop in their expected goals (xG) metric—from 1.62 in the first half to just 0.18 after the break.
This lack of attacking output, combined with a midfield that struggled to dictate play, ultimately sealed their fate.
Gary Neville, speaking on his podcast, directed strong criticism at Chelsea’s high-profile midfielders, Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández.
The former Manchester United defender expressed frustration over their inability to take control of the match, especially in the second half.
He questioned whether they were living up to their hefty price tags and the expectations placed on them.
“I expected Chelsea to come out aggressively in the second half,” Neville said.
“They let City back into the game before halftime, and I thought Maresca would push them to respond. But I didn’t see that.
The two midfielders cost a fortune—they’re top talents, but they needed to take charge of the game.
Instead, they let City dominate. With Palmer in that midfield, they still failed to make a real impact.”
Both Caicedo and Fernández were brought in for substantial fees and were expected to anchor Chelsea’s midfield, dictating play and ensuring defensive stability.
However, against an opponent like Manchester City—renowned for their high-intensity pressing and control of possession—Chelsea’s midfield was overwhelmed, failing to provide the leadership and stability needed to compete at the highest level.
Neville was particularly disappointed with how Chelsea responded after conceding the equalizer.
Despite having chances to regroup, the team’s midfielders failed to assert themselves or regain control of the game.
“I’m not attacking them personally—I think they’ve had a decent season—but this performance was frustrating,” Neville continued.
“They’ll look back and feel they could have done more, and that’s the worst feeling to have.
This could cost them a spot in next season’s Champions League.”
With this loss, Chelsea remains in sixth place in the Premier League standings, jeopardizing their chances of finishing in the top four.
Their inconsistency and lack of midfield dominance in key matches could prove costly as they push for a return to Europe’s elite competition.
Neville emphasized that Chelsea had a golden opportunity to make a statement against City but failed to do so.
“They should have sent a message to Manchester City, but they didn’t,” he said. “I’m not a Chelsea fan, but I love football, and watching that performance was deflating.”
As Chelsea continues its rebuild under Enzo Maresca, questions remain about whether their expensive signings can truly elevate the team to the next level.
With tough fixtures ahead, their ability to step up in crucial moments will determine whether they can secure Champions League qualification and reestablish themselves amongEngland’s top clubs.
