Chelsea dropped more points away at Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, but they were at least able to keep a clean sheet.
Enzo Maresca’s side drew 0-0 with Bournemouth following their 3-1 loss to Leeds United during the week.
At Elland Road on Wednesday, Tosin Adarabioyo made a huge error, while Chelsea’s backline as a whole did not defend well.
Who has disappointed you most from Chelsea’s scoreless draw with Bournemouth? 😶
Palmer might get a pass after two months out of the lineup.
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However, they were much better against Bournemouth, with Maresca naming his best centre-back partnership.
Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea celebrates scoring
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca claims Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana are his best centre-back pairing
Maresca has gone with many different centre-back pairings this season, starting with Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana at the Vitality Stadium.
And in his post-match press conference, the Chelsea manager told BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella and others that Chalobah and Fofana are the best combo he has at the moment.
Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong are the other options that Maresca has available to him, while Jorrel Hato can also play in central defence.
Did Cole Palmer look a bit rusty?
Cole Palmer playing for Chelsea vs Bournemouth
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Cole Palmer’s stats vs Bournemouth Total
Minutes 58
xG 0.08
Key passes 1
Accurate passes 26/38 (68%)
Crosses (accurate) 1 (0)
Total shots 1
Touches 49
Dribbles (successful) 3 (2)
Via Sofascore
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However, Adarabioyo and Badiashile were terrorised by Leeds’ attack last time out. Maresca was always likely to go with Chalobah and Fofana for the Bournemouth match.
As well as Moises Caicedo, Chelsea and Maresca really missed Fofana at Elland Road. The Frenchman was rested as his boss continues to manage his minutes carefully.
Enzo Maresca Manager of Chelsea during his post match press conference
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Trevoh Chalobah has been Chelsea’s best centre-back this season
As a pairing, Chalobah and Fofana have certainly performed well together of late. Individually, the former has also been excellent in the current campaign and arguably Chelsea’s best centre-half.
When Jamie Carragher spoke about Chalobah recently, the Liverpool legend said as much.
“I think he’s probably been your best centre-back and he almost looks like he’s stepped out of the pack there,” Carragher said to one Chelsea fan.
As well as making an impact in his box, Chalobah has also done the same in the opposition’s. In 13 Premier League games this term, the 26-year-old has scored three goals, a brilliant return for a central defender.
With Fofana in and out of the side because of his injury history and Levi Colwill still sidelined, it is probably fair to say that Chalobah is Chelsea’s best centre-back at this moment in time.
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