Key Takeaways from Chelsea’s Dominant 5-0 Victory against Wrexham
Ian Maatsen seizes left-wing chance, Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku make mark
Mauricio Pochettino began his tenure as Chelsea’s manager with a 5-0 victory over Wrexham at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in front of a sold-out crowd.
The University of Carolina was gripped by Wrexham fever, but the Premier League giants easily defeated the League Two team.
For both parties, it’s still very early in the process, and Pochettino is undoubtedly adjusting to his new squad while the summer rebuild takes place. Greater tests will be presented by Chelsea’s remaining four preseason games in the United States.
Here, Mail Sport looks at five lessons from Chelsea’s first preseason game.
The youthful player scored the game’s opening goal in just the third minute with a composed, first-time finish before cutting in from the left flank to add a second. He gained possession of the ball on the outskirts of the box, and by passing to Carney Chukwuemeka, he gave Chelsea’s attαck some dynamism and originality.
After losing his marker, he first timed a return with his left foot past Ben Foster and into the bottom corner.
He appeared to be more at home in the offҽnsive third of the field last year while playing for Burnley. It is unclear if he will continue to work for Stamford Bridge and participate in this campaign. Pochettino needs time, as well as players. Prior to the encounter on Thursday morning, just five members of the starting lineup had played for Chelsea, as the Pochettino project is still developing.
With 13 players leaving and six new additions this summer, there has already been a significant shakeup.
More games were played by Wrexham and former England goalkeeper Foster than by the entire starting lineup for the Blues.
Pochettino noted that efforts are still being made to try and find the ideal players for his project, but with such a significant amount of turnover, he will need time and patience to effectively carry out his concept.
There are only six midfielders in the group that is traveling to the United States, which is a cause for concern. At the moment, Andrey Santos, Conor Gallagher, and Enzo Fernandez are the likely starters, but there are a lot of inexperienced players behind them after Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, and the others left. Santos controls midfield. Santos showed promising promise in his first game for the team.
He seemed more than at home in his new surroundings after spending £18 million to join Brazilian club Vasco de Gama in January. He was loaned back to them for the second half of last season.
His center defensive midfield position required him to be disciplined, and he was never afraid to get the ball and try to control the game.
The Blues outbid Manchester City and Newcastle to secure the services of the 19-year-old, who was regarded as a wonderkid in his native Brazil.
In a tactically oriented open training session a day earlier, Pochettino worked with Santos on his positional play, and he did as he was instructed.
It might end up being a really wise business decision. Jackson and Nkunku appear optimistic. For the first time in a competitive game, Nicolas Jackson, who was acquired from Villarreal for £32 million on an enormous eight-year contract, provided Chelsea fans with a look at their new attαcking alternatives.
At the interval, £53 million attαcker Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig took over as the Blues’ offҽnsive captain.
In order to set up Maatsen’s early goal, Jackson showed off his lightning-quick reflexes by leaving Wrexham captain Ben Tozer for deαd.
He effortlessly sailed past the center defender, but he also made the wise choice to pass the ball to his teammate to his left rather than take the shot.
Nkunku had trouble getting into the action, but when given the chance, he displayed his skill by dribbling past the keeper to score Chelsea’s fourth goal of the evening. Cucurella has two opportunities. Speaking to the media prior to the start of preseason, the left back stated his desire to continue at Chelsea and appeared ready to move past a trying first season with the team.
Before Ben Chilwell came on to replace him, he played left back for the entire first half and then had a chance to demonstrate his center back skills.
With about 15 minutes left, he was unexpectedly reintroduced, replacing Trevor Chalobah in the center of defense.
He wasn’t really put to the test, but late on he made a strong challenge.
