Chelsea put in the work on the training ground to prepare for the threat of Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, however they were exposed yet again.
Enzo Maresca was back in the dugout in the Premier League after the victory against Nottingham Forest saw him forced to watch on from the stands.
However, fast forward to the visit of Sunderland, and Maresca was criticised for some of his substitutions as his side fell to an embarrassing 2-1 home defeat.
The Blues conceded with one of the last kicks of the game, and had been pegged back in the first half after Alejandro Garnacho’s first goal for the club.
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Chelsea’s work on dealing with long throws was a waste of time after Sunderland defeat
The Italian has made it clear since taking over the club that the Blues prepare for every opponent individually, and it was reported that they had trained for one of Sunderland’s biggest threats in the build up to the game.
The Mail Online reported before the game that Chelsea were working on the training ground at defending long throw-ins, however in the 22nd minute Wilson Isidor had scored from close range after the Blues failed to deal with one of those very scenarios.
Maresca decided not to start Chelsea’s tallest centre-back in Tosin Adarabioyo to deal with the aerial challenge, and they were made to pay for that decision.
It is not the first time the Blues have been caught out either. They dropped two points in the final minute against Brentford when they conceded from another long throw in.
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Tosin introduction ended up costing Chelsea
While Tosin was brought on late in the second half, the substitution proved costly as he and Trevoh Chalobah failed to deal with a late Sunderland counter-attack.
The manager decided to bring off Josh Acheampong, despite the fact that he has been the Blues’ best performing centre-back in recent weeks.
Maresca now needs to be braver in trusting the youngster to deliver, and not making him the easy option to be replaced if he feels a change is necessary at the back.
There will likely be rotation at the back for the EFL Cup tie against Wolves, however when the trip to Tottenham comes around next weekend there is no reason why Acheampong should not be the first centre-back on the teamsheet.