There were more than a few eyebrows raised when the Chelsea team news was announced ahead of the game, but Enzo Maresca’s selection gamble more than paid off as the Blues thrashed Ajax 5-1 in the Champions League.
Maresca opted to rest goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, captain Reece James, Marc Cucurella and Pedro Neto with Filip Jorgensen, Jorrel Hato, Jamie Gittens, Facundo Buonanotte and Marc Guiu among those handed a rare start.
With forward Joao Pedro suspended for the clash following his red card against Benfica, and Liam Delap not yet fit enough to return, Maresca gave Guiu a first start of the season for the Blues following an impressive second-half performance off the bench in the win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
And it was just one of the bold selection calls that Maresca was rewarded for, with the young Spaniard opening the scoring when he tapped in from close range after Wesley Fofana had brilliantly headed a bouncing ball back across the box for Guiu to convert.
Marc Guiu scores his first goal of the season for Chelsea in the Champions League ⚽@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/MIcUTzwdEB
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 22, 2025
There was plenty of discussion about Chelsea’s disciplinary record going into the game, having picked up four red cards in the last six games – five if you include Maresca’s dismissal from the dugout after his passionate celebrations against Liverpool.
But it was Ajax who were reduced to ten men right before Chelsea’s opener when Kenneth Taylor was shown a straight red following a VAR check for a high tackle on Buonanotte.
The once fearsome Dutch side’s inability to hold out for even a minute when play resumed would prove to be fitting of what was a weak, disastrous performance from the visitors.
Manager John Heitinga’s decision to bring on Jorthy Mokio for danger man Oscar Gloukh shortly after was loudly jeered by the travelling supporters who made their dissatisfaction with the former Everton midfielder known. Chelsea fans also joined in with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” to make things worse for Heitinga.
The change did little to halt this youthful Chelsea team, with Moises Caicedo doubling the home team’s advantage with a long-range strike which took a big deflection to beat goalkeeper Remko Pasveer.
But as they have done so often of late, Maresca’s side found a way to make it harder for themselves when Tosin clumsily stood on Moro’s foot and gave away a penalty, which former Burnley and Manchester United centre-forward Wout Weghorst just about tucked away.
Any optimism for Ajax quickly died out however as the Blues raced into a 4-1 lead by half-time thanks to two penalties of their own. Skipper Enzo Fernandez scored the first after he had been tripped by goalscorer Weghorst, before Youri Baas brought down Estevao for another spot-kick.
Fernandez looked as though he was set to step up again to claim a double, before unselfishly giving the ball to the young Brazilian, which was met by appreciative applause from the home fans. The teenager repaid his captain’s faith by smashing the ball into the top corner, a deserved goal for what was another scintillating performance from the tricky attacker.
Another penalty for Chelsea and it's calmly converted by Estevão 💫@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/ArvgUsZGxR
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 22, 2025
The comfortable scoreline gave Maresca a chance to rotate and rest players, and one of his changes at the break brought instant rewards as Tyrique George slotted in from close range to make it 5-1.
17-year-old Reggie Walsh, widely tipped to be the next star off the Cobham production line, was also given half an hour to impress, much to the delight of the home supporters who chanted his name repetitively after he entered the field.
Ajax might have made it easy for Chelsea, but Maresca’s faith in his squad being justified should provide a big confidence boost for both him and his players.
Many of those who played tonight would not start in Chelsea’s strongest 11 when everyone is fit, but the fact they are able to contribute so effectively in important games like this is a luxury that should not be undervalued.