Slot was impressed by a couple of Chelsea playersSlot was impressed by a couple of Chelsea players
Slot was impressed by a couple of Chelsea players | AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was impressed by what he saw from two Chelsea stars on Sunday.
Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer were on the scoresheet either side of a Jarell Quansah own goal, and the result means Chelsea in fifth and just goal difference off Newcastle United in fourth, while they are just one point behind Manchester City in third.
The Blues have now seemingly found their form again, and they could yet couple a Conference League title with Champions League qualification, looking nailed on for a final.
The Liverpool win was a statement victory for Chelsea, and during the game, two players impressed Reds boss Slot. “I think it was Madueke who could just go and start to dribble between four or five of ours and I haven’t seen that before this season,” Slot said after the game.
“So that might be a small drop off, but the way we played through them, the way we tried to keep on going, even after 2-0 down, it felt to me there was a bigger chance that the 2-2 was there than the 3-1, although they were a constant threat with all the quality players they have in the counter attack. And if I have to pick one out, then Cole Palmer was again special.”
Chelsea are next in action on Thursday night when they take on Djugarden, already 4-1 up in the Conference League semi-final tie, and their attention will then turn back to the Premier League, facing Newcastle United, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in their final games. The former and the latter are against fellow Champions League hopefuls, so Chelsea will need to earn their spot in UEFA’s premier competition next season, needing to remain in fifth spot or climb higher to get the job done.
But as they prepare for those all-important games, they are hitting form at just the right time, now on a run of four straight wins across all competitions.
Maresca’s verdict
Chelsea boss Maresca was impressed with his side’s display against Liverpool. He told Chelsea’s official website after the game: “They are all going to be tough games but you have to go game-by-game. The reason why the coaching staff were so happy – and so were the fans – is because at this stage of the season, you need to win games.
“For sure, today’s environment was the best environment of the season with our fans. This is what we need every game. They were fantastic, it was so good. My feeling is that – and I have had this already for a long time from when you work with the players everyday – they are all on the same page and heading in the same direction, in terms of how we want to play but also in terms of creating the right culture. It is so important.”
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