Enzo Maresca put out a pretty interesting backline in Chelsea’s match against Everton earlier.
Because of injuries and suspension, Enzo Maresca had to really reshuffle his defence at Goodison Park.
The Chelsea manager was without Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile because of injury, while Marc Cucurella missed the game after getting sent off against Brentford last Sunday.
As a result, central defender Axel Disasi had to start at right-back, while Malo Gusto was moved across to left-back. Despite not being a regular this season, Disasi is thought to be happy at Chelsea.
Axel Disasi of Chelsea controls the ball whilst under pressure from Iliman Ndiaye of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and...
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Pat Nevin felt sorry for out-of-position Axel Disasi
Being a centre-half forced to play at right-back, former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin had sympathy for Disasi, who cost his current employers £38.8m, as he went up against Iliman Ndiaye.
While commentating on the game for the BBC, Nevin said: “You need to get Ndiaye one-on-one with Disasi in the wide area. It’s not fair, he just skipped past him. It’s not Disasi’s fault, he’s not a natural wide player.”
In the end, Ndiaye and Everton’s attack were not able to cause Disasi and Chelsea’s backline too many problems.
However, the Blues failed to do much in the Toffees’ half either, with a draw probably being a fair result.
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Chelsea’s makeshift backline did not work
Maresca’s hands were tied and the team did manage to keep a clean sheet in a very difficult game.
However, a backline of Disasi, Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill is not something Chelsea supporters are going to want to see going forward.
Defensively, it did its job, with Adarabioyo making a fantastic block in the second half. But the team just did not look the same with Gusto inverting from the left instead of Cucurella.
Disasi did not offer too much in Chelsea’s build-up play on the right either. The Blues really missed having Gusto or James there today.
Goodison Park often proves to be a tricky ground for Chelsea, while they actually lost 2-0 there last season. With that in mind, it was not the worst point. In fact, it could end up being a good one if Liverpool lose to Tottenham Hotspur later.
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