Madueke wasn't always excellent but Gittens isn't any upgrade to him.

We need more bite. Delap on for Gittens, Pedro wide left. Santos in for Enzo.

2 minutes ago, just said:

Which one?

Both 😉

Edited August 17, 2025Aug 17 by JPH

3 minutes ago, Gordon Bennett said:

Gittens looks useless.

Should make our board realise Garanacho will be exactly the same.

Also once again Enzo is dreadful.

Nearly fell asleep during that and I’m pretty sure a large portion of the crowd did aswell.

Palmer to the right Neto left, Gittens swap for Estevao. Enzo swap for Santos

Josh has been decent but the backpassing kills any momentum when the midfield doesn't drop to get the ball moving

It is bizzare how fans think that the cause of our struggle last season is Madueke or Jackson.

Blocked the middle, have one player on Caicedo and it is very difficult for Chelsea to develop any offense. Furthermore we lost Colwil who is our best passer from cb yet many believe our build up is better 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

We need more from our wide player. Last season only Madueke could create chaos, this season hopefully estevao can do that for us but I really don't want to put too much pressure on him and play him tons of minutes. It is not good for his development if he play heavy minutes too young

1 minute ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Defence has been fine bar a couple early errors.

Enzo needs to come out immediately. Maybe James in midfield with Gusto traditional fullback. Have Palmer actually work the right channel instead of out left where he’s useless.

I’d then look to bring on Delap for Gittens and Estevao for Neto.

If it were up to me Santos and Estevao would be on for second half.

That was possibly one of the worst 45 mins I’ve ever seen from Enzo, where the fool is that Real Madrid offer

That was as boring as we got last season so normal service has been resumed!!

Clearly far from a great first half display but not as dreadful as has been made out. First game of the season after a short break and playing a team who normally play with energy and intensity.

Enzo and Gittens not remotely at the races and need hooked but I doubt they will this early. Enzo's inability to be in any way a threat is making it easy for Palace to smother Palmer who hasn't had a sniff.

No point talking about WCC games or the friendlies after that. Most of those games played ar 60% pace with no pressure.

Santos on for Fernandez.

Gittens off for Delap.

Palmer RW. Pedro playing off Delap. Neto LW.

Sack Maresca.

2 hours ago, Llangennech said:

Fulham? Yeah, in probably the best city on the planet, what's the big deal?

None. 💗

Just now, dansubrosa said:

If it were up to me Santos and Estevao would be on for second half.

That was possibly one of the worst 45 mins I’ve ever seen from Enzo, where the fool is that Real Madrid offer

He’s always ass start of the season.

Remember Forest at home? Looked like a make a wish kid.

Both gittens and neto have been terrible, i would change them for estevao and delap

Just now, Bob stark said:

It is bizzare how fans think that the cause of our struggle last season is Madueke or Jackson.

Blocked the middle, have one player on Caicedo and it is very difficult for Chelsea to develop any offense. Furthermore we lost Colwil who is our best passer from cb yet many believe our build up is better 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

We need more from our wide player. Last season only Madueke could create chaos, this season hopefully estevao can do that for us but I really don't want to put too much pressure on him and play him tons of minutes. It is not good for his development if he play heavy minutes too young

Carbon copy of games vs Crystal Palace last season

Issue here is Fernandez, he is atrocious and made exactly one pass all half. He is so bad Palace are letting him have the ball and focusing on double teaming Palmer.

The whole team (bar Cucurella, Pedro Neto and Caicedo) is playing out of pace

Edited August 17, 2025Aug 17 by Upb78

1st Chelsea match I've actually watched live since the CWC Final and it's not been good.

Feels very flat today, we'll do well to get a draw out of this at this rate - the Palace keeper has had nothing to do this match.

2 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Defence has been fine bar a couple early errors.

Enzo needs to come out immediately. Maybe James in midfield with Gusto traditional fullback. Have Palmer actually work the right channel instead of out left where he’s useless.

I’d then look to bring on Delap for Gittens and Estevao for Neto.

I'd go for Enzo-Santos, Neto-Estevao and Pedro-Delap and James-Gusto.

James looks to have a target on his back and is probably a red risk. Not sure how Pedro and Delap would look next to each other.

This half is identical to both games v Palace from last season, so hes learnt absolutely nothing and crested the same problems by playing the same players out of position.

Keep doing what we're doing. No changes necessary. This is the new normal.

1 minute ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Carbon copy of games vs Crystal Palace last season

Issue here is Fernandez, he is atrocious and made exactly one pass all half. He is so bad Palace are letting him have the ball and focusing on double teaming Palmer.

Yes, Enzo has been atrocious. Palmer who was free as a bird against leverkusen again and again barely get anything.

Honestly, either bring estevao or Santos or just play better and sharper. Nick a goal somewhere somehow and Palace will need to open up and it will be easier.

3 minutes ago, loz said:

Clearly far from a great first half display but not as dreadful as has been made out. First game of the season after a short break and playing a team who normally play with energy and intensity.

Enzo and Gittens not remotely at the races and need hooked but I doubt they will this early. Enzo's inability to be in any way a threat is making it easy for Palace to smother Palmer who hasn't had a sniff.

No point talking about WCC games or the friendlies after that. Most of those games played ar 60% pace with no pressure.

Agreed. Its a shame we can't sub Fernandez for Wharton.

Only thing worse than the performance so far is Chris Sutton on commentary.

Neto on the left, Estevao on the right and Gusto for James. Too risky facing Eze with that target on his back. Ref even warned him to be careful from now on, after his foul on Eze.

We need a bit of flair up top (Estevao) to also release some of the pressure on Palmer as well.

4 minutes ago, Bob stark said:

It is bizzare how fans think that the cause of our struggle last season is Madueke or Jackson.

Blocked the middle, have one player on Caicedo and it is very difficult for Chelsea to develop any offense. Furthermore we lost Colwil who is our best passer from cb yet many believe our build up is better 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

We need more from our wide player. Last season only Madueke could create chaos, this season hopefully estevao can do that for us but I really don't want to put too much pressure on him and play him tons of minutes. It is not good for his development if he play heavy minutes too young

We have done this Bob....

Better players , have more in their locker, have more football intelligence, and can do more to find solutions.

Jackson in this team would be lost. With no space to run into - he would offer nothing. Pedro can play football - and whilst it might not be easy, he can still offer something to the team to help unlock.