Chelsea started their Premier League campaign by losing to Manchester City 0-2 at Stamford Bridge last Sunday, August 18. The Blues played reasonably well, but the Cityzens were better to cruise to a victory. However, Chelsea thrashed Wolverhampton Wanderers 6-2 in their second league match for their first-season victory.
Chelsea Lacks a Playmaker at the Centre
Chelsea’s midfield performed well and held their own against Manchester City. Romeo Lavia, signed last season but mostly sidelined by injury, had a great match. His energy and accurate passing stood out.
Moisés Caicedo was also quite good as the holding midfielder. His presence was reassuring and solid. However, Enzo Fernandez was not quite up to the mark as a No.8 in Chelsea’s 4-3-3. He struggled to make an impact in the advanced role. He can hardly be blamed for his lack of attacking influence. After all, he is primarily a holding midfielder. It’s unrealistic to expect him to excel in a more offensive position.
Nicolas Jackson’s Goal Drought Overshadowed by Chelsea’s Midfield Concerns
Despite Nicolas Jackson’s hard work, Chelsea’s biggest problem seems to be their lack of direction and creativity. Palmer, who was outstanding last season, is the only player who can make a difference. He played on the right side against Manchester City but might need to be the No. 10 in future games to help the team. He has already started as a No. 10 in their last few matches.
With a huge 42-man squad at his disposal, it is a pity for Maresca that he cannot find enough options for a proper No. 10 in his team’s playing XI. Had Raheem Sterling been available for selection—which he does not seem to be—the Chelsea manager could have considered playing the former, Christopher Nkunku, as the two wingers and Palmer as the No. 10.
Tactical Dilemma: Fitting Palmer into Chelsea’s Midfield Setup
Right now, that doesn’t seem possible. He could still put Pedro Neto on the left and Nkunku on the right to let Palmer play as the No. 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation. But this means he would only be able to use two: Fernandez, Caicedo, and Lavia.
Another solution for the 44-year-old Italian manager has been to employ Palmer as the false nine, where he played occasionally last season, and thereby keep his midfield trio intact. This will allow Palmer, Chelsea’s talismanic player at the moment, to fall back at his will and then help create moves in the central areas. Neto and Nkunku can play on the two flanks in that set-up. The probable signing of Joao Felix will also add to the options Chelsea might have to play on the flanks.
Playing Palmer out of his preferred position might seem harsh, especially when he has been so successful in that position. However, at this moment, that seems to be the most feasible solution for the Blues. Palmer did play as the No. 10 against Wolves, with Noni Madueke on the right and Mykhailo Mudryk on the left. He scored his first goal of the season against Wolves to justify the coach’s decision to play him centrally.
