Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez shone on his debut and another new faces hinted at their potential however, after a 300 million kilos ($361.53 million) January spending spree, the identical issues weighed on the Blues of their 0-0 draw with Fulham on Friday.
With solely 22 objectives scored in 21 Premier League video games to date this season, coach Graham Potter has but to discover a approach to flip the wealth of expertise in his enormous squad right into a successful machine.
Argentina’s World Cup-winner Fernandez, purchased this week for a British document of virtually 107 million kilos from Benfica, flashed a shot simply extensive within the 72nd minute after an imperious first-half show of tackling and passing.
Fellow debutant David Datro Fofana, on instead after the ahead’s switch from Molde of Norway, had a shot cleared virtually off the road seven minutes later.
Noni Madueke, an England youth worldwide who additionally got here off the bench for his first look for Chelsea since signing from PSV Eindhoven, confirmed some tempo and drive.
But for all the excitement created by the string of signings by the membership’s new American homeowners within the mid-season switch window, there was acquainted frustration for the house followers as Chelsea struggled to interrupt down their organised guests.
“We didn’t do enough in terms of our attacking play to create more, which is something we need to do,” Potter – who’s underneath stress to reverse Chelsea’s slide to the center of the league desk – advised reporters.
“That bit of connection, that bit of fluidity, that bit of understanding that you need, we lacked a little bit.”
‘GEL THE TEAM’
Potter mentioned it was comprehensible that his facet, with wing again Reece James getting back from harm alongside the brand new faces, weren’t firing on all cylinders.
But he mentioned he was assured they might but end within the prime 4 and qualify for the Champions League subsequent season. Chelsea are at present 9 factors adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United who’ve a recreation in hand.
“What we need to do now is gel the team. That is the challenge,” Potter mentioned.
Ukraine worldwide Mykhailo Mudryk, one other costly January signing from Shakhtar Donetsk, failed to seek out the area he loved on his debut instead in opposition to Liverpool two weeks in the past and was changed by Madueke at halftime.
Potter mentioned the winger had been affected by a chilly.
Fulham boss Marco Silva praised his group, who beat Chelsea 2-1 at Craven Cottage in January.
“From the first minute the players understood really well the plan and they executed really well,” Silva mentioned.
Rather than fear about Chelsea’s new-look squad, he mentioned Fulham made certain they maintained the shape that has propelled them to sixth within the desk.
“Our focus to be honest is on ourselves … and what we can do as a team,” the Portuguese coach mentioned. “Our organisation was really good and … we deserved the result.”
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
