Chelsea produced another goalless draw against a resolute Fulham side at Stamford Bridge on Friday evening. There was a debut for record signing Enzo Fernandez who joined the club in the final hours of transfer deadline day.
Reece James also started a game for the first time since his setback on his return from a previous injury against Bournemouth at the end of December. Mykhaylo Mudryk started his first game for the club. It was later revealed by Graham Potter he had played the game with a heavy cold. He was substituted for another new signing Noni Madueke at half time. Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile continued with their partnership in central defence.
One of the stories coming into the game was the de registration of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang from the UEFA Champions League squad going forward. He was taken out as others were left in. Mudryk, Felix and Enzo Fernandez were the three names chosen to add to the squad. Aubameyang was also left out of the squad for this game, as was Lewis Hall with the returning Ben Chilwell on the bench for this game.
Chelsea starting line up via Sofa Score
Fulham had a starting lineup consisting of many of the same players that have started games for them this season. This also included former blue Willian who has been in good form and scored a goal in the reverse fixture which they won. They were set up well and organised as they have been throughout much of this season. They made things difficult by defending well and denying Chelsea space especially through the middle of the pitch.
Chelsea had more possession (67%) and also made 568 passes (86% accuracy) with Fulham making 226 passes (72% accuracy).
They had 12 shots with 7 on target. Fulham had 10 with 3 on target. Chelsea had 2 big chances whilst Fulham did not have any.
Chelsea 1.34 - 0.72 Fulham xg ( via @xGPhilosphy)
Enzo Fernandez performed quite well despite his lack of time training with the rest of the squad. He was played in a deeper role with Mount and Gallagher ahead of him. This was a good start for him and showed what he was capable of. He showed a good range of passing and also did quite a lot of defensive work.
With the injuries in midfield currently to players like Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante and Denis Zakaria (as well as the sale of Jorginho), Chelsea had a lack of viable options to partner him in a deeper role. This would likely have given him a bit more freedom and licence to get forward.
Enzo Fernandez v Fulham
74 passes (85% accuracy)
6/7 accurate long balls
8 passes into final third
10 x possession won
5/6 tackles won (most)
9/13 duels won
3 clearances
1 block
2 interceptions
2 fouls won
1 chance created
1 shot
0 fouls
(Stats via Squawka , heat map via Sofa score)
Noni Madueke came on to make his debut and had a few promising dribbles and runs but the final product was not quite there yet. Another one that will likely improve. David Datro Fofana had one good chance and got himself into a promising position before seeing his effort cleared off the line.
In the end it was a familiar story of failing to convert the chances presented. There were some good moments but overall there seemed to be a lack of cohesion, especially between the midfield and attack as well as in build up play. The defensive partnership of Silva and Badiashile continues to blossom as the pair kept their third clean sheet in a row and were aided by Kepa who made a few good saves.
The return of Reece James was positive as he completed around 60 minutes. Ben Chilwell also made a cameo off the bench.
Graham Potter to BBC sport - “The spirit of the players was really good. They worked hard for each other against an organised team.They've been together a while. We’re a different stage of that – players coming back from injury and new players. We needed time to settle everything down. We were missing the connection, fluidity and confidence that comes from knowing each other.
The decision we took in the window you can see the profile in terms of age. We feel we have a very strong group of players. We have to gel and become a really good team. That’s where the work is.”
On Enzo Fernandez - “Handled himself magnificently. Tough game, you can see his quality, you can see what he will bring to the team. Not easy for him or for us because he hasn’t been with us that long , you will see how good he can be and how much he can influence the team.”
The team play West Ham next at the London Stadium before the resumption of the Champions League where Chelsea are away to Borussia Dortmund.
Comments