Todd Boehly, blue corner. Behdad Eghbali, other blue corner. In the meantime, Enzo Maresca must win football matches.
Maresca’s players put on a performance often as dysfunctional as the boardroom as the Chelsea soap drama unravels its next plot twist, that this club isn’t big enough for two billionaire egos. Late striker Christopher Nkunku stole south coast points.
As well-coached and enthusiastic as any Premier League squad, Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth had the better opportunities and played more progressive football.
A game with a league record 14 yellow cards from referee Anthony Taylor and Maresca did not go the Basques’ way. Instead, the Frenchman beat Bournemouth defenders and scored following a feed from replacement Jadon Sancho, who, like Nkunku, had much to prove.
“We are in a big club with big players,” said the scorer. Positions are competitive. We must work hard.”
“The important thing is they’re ready when they get minutes,” stated their manager. Their late combination play saved a team that looked as united as the club suits until late.
Enzo Fernández and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were sidelined, so Renato Veiga and Moisés Caicedo battled as Bournemouth generated chances from the opening. Evanilson almost scored his first Premier League goal when Axel Disasi hesitated.
The Brazilian missed a penalty. “He wants to score, for sure, but I will not focus on this, I am very happy with his performance,” Iraola said of his club-record signing. “We played well, had more chances, pushed them, but we didn’t punish them.”
Sancho, the latest member to Chelsea’s dynamic attack, initially watched Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto surround Cole Palmer. In a crucial first-half match, Bournemouth’s League One veteran Adam Smith defeated Neto.
Chelsea fans were uneasy about the referee because Taylor has worked with them, but their team’s performance was to blame.
Mark Travers, filling in for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is ineligible against his parent club, was asked to save on 33 minutes, but Nicolas Jackson blasted straight at the Ireland keeper.
After replacing Kepa, Robert Sánchez conceded the penalty to Evanilson and saved from him. After Wesley Fofana’s horribly under-clubbed back pass, Taylor ruled the keeper fouled the Brazilian in a 50-50 challenge. A half that could have sent Bournemouth ahead ended goalless.
Six first-half bookings implied a fight, but Taylor’s meticulousness was to blame. “I complained about a foul on Wesley Fofana which for me was quite clear but it can happen,” Maresca said of the yellow swell.
Sancho came in at halftime. “Just being back playing, I’m grateful,” said the Manchester United outcast. “I’ve worked hard for this moment and I’m glad I got my chance.”
Maresca said: “I think Jadon needs love. I know he wants to reveal his playerhood. Honestly, I don’t see any issues with Jadon or Joao Felix.
Bournemouth had many chances. A training ground free-kick routine ended with an Antoine Semenyo shot over, a Ryan Christie shot hit the post, and Justin Kluivert forced another Sánchez save.
Bournemouth retreated as Chelsea finally dominated possession, showing they were exhausted.
Jackson, hopeless but game, was replaced by Nkunku. “We lacked quality in the box,” Maresca stated.
After Sancho cut inside, a player whose Chelsea career has been hampered by injury and uncertainty scored his crucial goal. It showed that Chelsea have enough potential for Maresca to assemble a team whoever wins the civil war.
