Chelsea duo make statement as Enzo Maresca finds new Marcos Alonso in Gent win – 5 talking points

CHELSEA 4-2 GENT: Enzo Maresca’s Blues kicked off their UEFA Conference League season on a bright note at Stamford Bridge, turning on the flair to overcome their Belgian opponents.

Chelsea extended their winning streak to five matches in all competitions, defeating Belgian Jupiler Pro League side Gent at Stamford Bridge in their Conference League opener, despite a dismal finish.

Renato Veiga, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the goals on a night when several of Enzo Maresca’s peripheral players improved their chances of making the starting lineup.

This was Chelsea’s 300th match in European play, and they handled the situation well by putting on an offensive clinic for the home fans, who are now optimistic that something significant may be accomplished this season.

Here are five things we learnt on Thursday night in west London as the Blues aim to maintain their hot streak this weekend when Nottingham Forest travel south to the capital to put a damper on Maresca’s parade.

Neto and KDH impress

Following this impressive performance, it would not be surprising if Neto was chosen over Noni Madueke this weekend.

He was quick in possession and very positive whenever he had the ball at his feet, looking to drive at his full-back at every opportunity.

Neto is definitely better from the right when driving inside onto his left foot, but he has mostly played from the left this season, limiting his effect on proceedings.

But, with Madueke’s form waning, Sunday might be the ideal time to unleash Neto, who scored his second goal of the season with a powerful right-footed drive.

Meanwhile, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who did not even make the squad against Brighton, had an immediate impact in midfield, covering every blade of grass and affecting the game from both ends of the ground before scoring his first Chelsea goal.

It’s fair to say that the former Leicester City player is unlikely to displace either Moises Caicedo or Enzo Fernandez in midfield just yet, despite being a huge hit under Maresca at the King Power Stadium last season, but he’s a fantastic player to have in your squad, and if stars were chosen solely on merit, his name would be in the mix after dazzling here.

He was a magnificent sight against Gent, gliding over the pitch with genuine swagger and assurance – qualities Chelsea occasionally lack in the heart of the field.

Veiga: Alonso 2.0?

Renato Veiga has already impressed Chelsea supporters with his tenacious, tireless, all-action displays at left-back.

And the dynamic 21-year-old helped himself to his maiden Blues goal by utilizing his amazing jump to head home Mykhailo Mudryk’s wonderful cross at the far post.

Veiga rushed into the area with pace, imposing his large muscular stature to propel Chelsea forward.

Veiga may not be as technical as Alonso when it comes to crossing and shooting, but he is a strong, driven player with plenty of ambition and effort.

It should be acknowledged, however, that he came close to executing a beautiful, curving pass between the lines to Joao Felix just before the half, which would have been one of the greatest through balls we’ve seen this season.
Tosin goes to sleep.

Though he was not the only player at fault (Chelsea’s whole defence was ball-watching), Tosin Adarabioyo could have done more to prevent Gent from equalizing in the second half.

Neto had just put Chelsea up 2-0, and the Blues appeared to be coasting until the catastrophic lack in focus.

Tosin was lured in by the ball and failed to realize that many Gent players had slipped in behind him as the ball was lofted across the goal, allowing Tsuyoshi Watanabe to score with a header.

Despite playing the entire 90 minutes in Chelsea’s recent annihilation of West Ham, the former Fulham player faces a struggle to replace Wesley Fofana at the heart of Maresca’s defence.

Unfortunately, this was the type of gaffe that might jeopardize his chances of starting against Nottingham Forest this weekend, since Maresca was rarely given a headache.

In possession, Tosin does give the ability to make both short and long passes to the forwards.

Benoit Badiashile improved significantly and appears to be more stable, and his left foot provided excellent balance in possession.

Chukwuemeka delivered blows.

Carney Chukwuemeka suffered another devastating blow when Maresca left him out of Chelsea’s match-day roster entirely.

The Blues were prepared to accept permanent bids for the offensive midfielder during the summer transfer window, but no offers came in; yet, he was included to their 25-man Conference League squad, despite the absence of Ben Chilwell.

He remains a popular figure among Chelsea fans, but it looks the former Aston Villa youth product is about to leave Stamford Bridge, where the roster is stocked with star talent.

Maresca made ten changes to his squad after last weekend’s 4-2 hammering of Brighton, and although several periphery players were given a rare opportunity to perform, Chukwuemeka appears to be unpopular unless he is ill.

The 20-year-old recently grabbed the eye from the bench during a 14-minute cameo against Barrow in the League Cup, but it was insufficient to win a place in the match against Gent, highlighting Chelsea’s depth in reserves.

Gudjohnsen’s kid positions himself at the shop window.

Gent forward Andri Gudjohnsen, the son of former Chelsea forward Eidur, drew attention as the Belgian club’s attacking spearhead.

The 22-year-old attacker, who was born in London during his father’s stint at Chelsea, signed from Danish club Lyngby this summer and scored on his Jupiler Pro League debut.

And he showed some fantastic touches and linkups against his father’s previous employers before sending a superb shot barely past the crossbar in the first half.

Belgian teams have a wonderful ability to develop talent, and if Gudjohnsen continues to put his head down, he might have a bright future in the game.

He already has 26 caps for Iceland, which is an impressive performance, but the attacker clearly has a long way to go before matching his father’s exploits, who is still warmly regarded at Stamford Bridge.