Chelsea kicked off their 2018-19 Premier League season in disappointing fashion against Crystal Palace on Friday at Stamford Bridge with a goalless draw, struggling under Enzo Maresca and coming only narrowly close to losing as VAR disallowed Eberechi Eze’s goal for Palace.
The resultant draw was evidence of Chelsea’s inability to live up to preseason expectations after making several off-season acquisitions, leaving both fans and critics to question its effectiveness as an overhaul effort.
Below are the individual performances of Chelsea’s players during the clash with Crystal Palace:
Player Performance Overview
Robert Sanchez – (7/10) – Sanchez had a relatively quiet day but stepped up when needed, making four key saves to keep Chelsea in the game.
Reece James – (6/10) – James showed promise moving forward but faced challenges containing Palace’s Eze on his flank.
Marc Cucurella – (6/10) – Active in the attack yet lacked the final touch; his synergy with newcomer Jamie Gittens will need time to develop.
Trevoh Chalobah – (6/10) – A reliable presence in defense, filling in admirably for the injured Levi Colwill.
Josh Acheampong – (7/10) – A solid display from the less experienced Acheampong, confidently handling his defensive duties.
Moises Caicedo – (7.5/10) – Displayed vital energy and intention in midfield, proving essential despite the team’s overall disjointed play.
Enzo Fernandez – (5/10) – Appeared off pace and struggled to influence the game, possibly feeling the effects of a busy Club World Cup schedule.
Cole Palmer – (4.5/10) – Fell short of expectations, failing to inject the needed creativity and threat into Chelsea’s forward play.
Jamie Gittens – (6/10) – Made a decent debut with evident potential, though his effectiveness was hampered by adjustment challenges.
Pedro Neto – (5/10) – Couldn’t replicate his recent high performances, leaving Chelsea wanting more in the attacking third.
Joao Pedro – (5/10) – Limited impact due to the lack of service, struggled to assert himself against Palace’s defense.
Substitutes: Estevao Willian (6), Liam Delap (6), Malo Gusto (6) and Andrey Santos (6) are available as options to fill any remaining positions on the roster.
As Chelsea looks ahead, adjustments and improvements will be key in helping their new signings to adjust and meet expectations of an unprecedented campaign.