We looks at the talking points to arise from Chelsea’s 5-0 win over Wrexham in the first friendly on their USA tour
Mauricio Pochettino confronts the referee at half-time during Chelsea’s 5-0 defeat of Wrexham (Image: Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea tenure got off to a positive start with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Wrexham. It wasn’t always controlling or top quality but the Blues showed their gulf in class with some clinical finishing that has not been part of the repertoire over the last 12 months.
Ian Maatsen had his goalscoring boots on to provide Chelsea a 2-0 lead at half-time, with Conor Gallagher, Christopher Nkunku and Ben Chilwell securing the victory. Pochettino was pleased with what he saw from his team, as his learning of the squad continues.
football.london takes a look at the talking points to arise from the match.
Ian Maatsen makes an impact
The Dutch defender was playing in advanced position for the Blues on Wednesday night, as Marc Cucurella took the left back role. The 21-year-old has spent the last three seasons on loan away from the Blues and has arrived at a pivotal moment in his Chelsea career with a year left on his contract, and a willing suitor in Burnley.
A brace will certainly leave tongues wagging, and his second strike in particular was impressive. He showed adaptability and pace that challenged every opposition player he came up against.
There is a question in whether his position has indicated he is currently down the pecking order at left-back. There will still be time to impress however and against sterner foes both in friendlies and on training pitches.
Mauricio Pochettino’s intensity
When supporters turn up to a game between Chelsea and Wrexham wearing the shirts of other British teams like Arsenal and Liverpool, there is definitely a friendly atmosphere. The fact that it was the first match of pre-season in hot and humid conditions ensured it was testing for both sides to provide a great deal of intensity too.
However, when the referee blew the whistle for half-time. Pochettino was not impressed and neither was Andrey Santos. Both confronted the official with a steely glare and from a distance it looked like the Blues boss had some choice words.
“Yes because it was an action that should play, but the referee stopped a clear counter-attack,” Pochettino explained following the game. Diego Moreira did look set to drive up the oppposite side of the pitch, with a fairly direct view of goal.
It was perhaps another moment of Pochettino hitting the right notes for supporters to see what he is about however. He has a will to win that he wants to bring back to the club. That will go down well.
Chelsea’s forward options
Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku took 45 minutes each in leading Chelsea’s forward line. Jackson was more involved and dominant in his outing but it was Nkunku who delivered the goal with a fairly well-executed run and finish, despite having some difficulty being found by his teammates.
There has been a question over whether the Blues have enough firepower heading into the new season, even with Armando Broja still working at Cobham. Particularly given the west London side only matched 38 Premier League goals last term.
The opposition wasn’t the highest level but there were some green shoots in place, and knowing it is not the role in which Nkunku is most proficient, perhaps some anticpation of whether the duo could play together too given Jackson’s hold-up play in the opening half.
Certainly a reassuring effort, if not one that will convince everyone.
The squad
While Chelsea have already trimmed down their squad, there’s no doubting there are still a lot of bodies that have travelled to the USA. There is a distinct youthful element, with Pochettino characterising the match against Wrexham as an opportunity for that group.
However, there is a sense that for many, their 2023/24 campaign will be seen elsewhere. That could be within Chelsea’s development squad or on loan and while the USA tour will have an aim to get Chelsea ready for the season, it will provide crucial information over who has a future at the club too.
Pochettino said following the game: “I don’t believe it’s a big squad. We have a lot of players in the squad, many young players. It is not difficult, it is good to have all these players and the names we have. We can see, we can touch, we can feel if they can be an imporatnt player for Chelsea. For me it is the opposite. I don’t see it as a problem. For me it is a good thing we can have players during this pre-season, seeing them and evaluating them and seeing if they have potential for the future.”
