It’s been a turbulent start to the season for Chelsea, both on and off the pitch. But after their dramatic weekend win over Liverpool, the Blues finally seem to have some wind in their sails.
A thrilling 2-1 victory, sealed by Brazilian wonderkid Estevao’s 96th-minute strike, has lifted the mood around Stamford Bridge. It was Chelsea’s first real statement performance of the campaign – made all the more impressive given the lengthy injury list they carried into (and out of) the match.
There’s still plenty of work to be done, though. The London side sit seventh in the Premier League, five points adrift of leaders Arsenal, and still have fitness issues to sort, new signings to integrate, and a leaky defence to plug.
Even so, things are beginning to look up – particularly for manager Enzo Maresca, who had started to feel the heat after a string of stinging defeats. But with confidence restored and spirits high, Chelsea head into the international break in far better shape, ready for the defining stretch of their season. Here, Mirror Football rounds up the latest news surrounding the Club World Cup and Conference League champions.
Maresca was controversially sent off in the dying moments of the Saturday’s victory over Liverpool after sprinting down the touchline – Jose Mourinho-style – to celebrate Estevao’s late winner.
The Italian had already been booked in the first half for furiously protesting referee Anthony Taylor’s decision not to award Chelsea a penalty after Alejandro Garnacho appeared to be shoved in the box by Dominik Szoboszlai – and his exuberant celebration earned him a second yellow card – Chelsea’s fourth red in just five matches.
While leaving the technical area is technically a bookable offence, many felt Taylor’s decision to dismiss Maresca was harsh – among them, Alan Shearer. “I know the laws and rules but come on,” the Newcastle legend said on Match of the Day.
“You’ve just scored a brilliant late goal, your team has been superb for you under huge pressure and he gets a yellow card for showing that emotion… I don’t get it.”
Ex-Chelsea defender Frank Lebouef agreed, branding the decision “unfair” on ESPN. “Coaches are human and especially with the pressure that they are under,” the Frenchman said.
“He [Maresca] didn’t do anything bad, it’s not like he was teasing the opponents, he was just celebrating with his players. I remember seeing that with Jose Mourinho in the past and so many others.
“I think it was unfair and it’s not because it’s the Chelsea coach, it would have been [unfair for] anybody else. I can understand that you feel the pressure being released and you just want to enjoy it. He’s been a player so he knows that how cool it can be. So for me, it was unfair.”
Maresca – who joins Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah and Joao Pedro on Chelsea’s growing list of red card offenders this season – will now serve a one-match touchline ban, forcing him to watch the October 18 clash with Nottingham Forest from the stands.
Chelsea loanee Facundo Buonanotte has spoken out in defence of Alejandro Garnacho, describing his fellow Argentine as a “very good person” after linking up with him in west London this summer.
During the final years of his Manchester United spell, Garnacho was often criticised for alleged attitude issues. Manager Ruben Amorim even dropped him from the first-team squad at one stage before making it clear the winger was not part of his long-term plans – paving the way for a £40million move to Chelsea.
Given his chequered reputation, many in Chelsea circles were wary of the signing. But if Buonanotte’s latest comments are anything to go by, they can rest easy – with Garnacho appearing to have settled in well both on and off the pitch.
“[Garnacho] is a very good person, I have a very good relationship with him,” the Brighton ace, who joined Chelsea on a season-long loan on Deadline Day, told DSports Radio. “I already knew him from the national team, but now we share a lot on a daily basis because we are the same age. That makes things nicer.
“He might have had problems at the club, which can happen to any player, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that he is a wonderful person. And here at Chelsea, we are very happy to have him.”
Garnacho is still waiting for his first goal in Chelsea colours after five appearances, but he has shown flashes of promise, particularly in the win over Liverpool, where he stretched the defence by hugging the touchline and running directly at the likes of Szoboszlai, Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate, troubling all three throughout.
He was also credited with creating Chelsea’s winner against Benfica in the Champions League last week, latching onto Pedro Neto’s deep cross and steering the ball back across goal before defender Richard Rios inadvertently turned it in.
The Argentine will need to raise his level further to truly win over the Stamford Bridge faithful, but for now, the early signs are encouraging.
