17.8.2025
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has bemoaned his side’s lack of preparation time since beating Paris Saint Germain at the FIFA Club World Cup in New York just 35 days ago, after playing a goalless draw against Crystal Palace in Premier League opener at the Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea struggled to get past a well organised Palace defence and at they were lucky not to concede at their own end after VAR denied Eberechi Eze a freekick goal. Marc Guehi was adjudged to be obstructing the Chelsea wall.
“They played about eight (pre-season) games, we played just two so we tried our best,” said Maresca.
“We expected a tough game. Apart from the first half free-kick, we didn’t concede any chances.”
New Chelsea signing Estevao came closest to snatching a winner for the home side, but the newly crowned world champions failed to find their form.
Chelsea’s demolition of European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final last month had raised the Blues’ hopes they can challenge for a first Premier League title since 2017.
Estevao...Chelsea new boy in action.