The main talking points and moments missed from Chelsea's entertaining 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening
07:00, 31 Dec 2025
Estevao Willian looks dejected
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Estevao Willian looks dejected during Chelsea's draw with Bournemouth(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
We're going to have to start with the negatives. Where do you start?
The atmosphere felt like it took a turn on Tuesday night as Chelsea shared the points with Bournemouth. Plenty of those inside Stamford Bridge were left astounded when, on 63 minutes, Cole Palmer's number went up on the fourth official's board.
Joao Pedro was coming on, with many thinking the quiet, struggling Liam Delap would be the man to make way. But no, the #10 was on the board. Palmer was on the other side of the pitch when his name was read out by the stadium announcer.
He had to take the long way round, walking between the pitch and the advertising boards as his adoring supporters sang his name. All eyes were on Palmer when he finally made it back to the bench. His reaction was in the spotlight after his furious outburst to being subbed off three days prior.
This time, though, Palmer seemed more content with the decision and shook hands with Enzo Maresca before finding his seat. While the 23-year-old, who was probably told pre-match that he would only play 60-or-so minutes, was fine with the sub, some inside Stamford Bridge were left flabbergasted. Some were furious.
"You don't know what you're doing," chanted more than just the odd fan, as heard by football.london, close to the press box in the East Stand. There were plenty of boos around the stadium as well.
Midway through this month, Chelsea supporters chanted Maresca's name after a turbulent few days off the pitch. Those that travelled to Cardiff serenaded the Italian when he came over to applaud their support. Fast forward exactly a fortnight and some had turned.
It's worth noting: not all of them turned and some realised, even in the heat of the moment, that Palmer was being protected as he continued his recovery to peak fitness.
Maresca under the weather
Maresca felt unwell at full-time. The Chelsea boss has been struggling with an illness for the past couple of days, so understandably Willy Caballero took his place for the countless media duties post-match. Maresca, though, had his usual debrief with Behdad Eghbali, the club's co-owner, and the two sporting directors in Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, who walked across the Stamford Bridge pitch shortly after the full-time whistle.
It is widely believed that a big part of Maresca's frustrations, that led to his now-infamous "worst 48 hours" comment, was the lack of support he received from the higher ups. The questioning regarding some of his decisions. Of course, we do not know the specifics; those conversations are private for a reason.
Enzo Maresca
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Enzo Maresca during Chelsea's draw with Bournemouth(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
What we do know is, though, that those three Chelsea chiefs would not have been pleased with what they witnessed on Tuesday night. While some supporters turned on Maresca, most of the discourse online seems to be about the squad he has been given this season.
After a summer that saw north of £250million worth of talent come through the door at Stamford Bridge, some claim the squad has decreased in quality. It is hard to argue against that. Maresca has a lot of talented footballers at his disposal, most of them extremely young, but it is clear he doesn't trust all of them.
Jorrel Hato was signed to help ease Marc Cucurella's load, yet the Spaniard hurt his hamstring on Saturday in what was his 11th game in 42 days for club and country. Neutral fans love to point out how many attacking players Chelsea have. It's true, there are 10 senior options. Not all of them are trusted, though, and some are not good enough - yet, anyway - to be trusted.
Those that come on from the bench struggle to make an impact. Often the likes of Jamie Gittens, Andrey Santos, Delap and others have been introduced from the bench but rarely produce the desired results. It all seems a bit of a mess at the moment.
What a difference a month makes
Football is a funny old game because going into December, Chelsea were in third-place in the Premier League table. Some people, though the Blues were quick to ease such expectations, were talking about Maresca's men as possible challengers to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City.
A disastrous December, as so often has been the case at Stamford Bridge in recent years, has left some fans calling for the head coach to be sacked. Maresca's side have won only one match in their last seven, picking up six out of a possible 18 points in December. It is not like the fixtures over the course of the month have been too unkind to Chelsea, either.
Leeds United, defeat, Bournemouth, draw, Everton, win, Newcastle United, draw, Aston Villa, defeat, and Bournemouth again, draw. For a club with aspirations like Chelsea, said form at such a critical stage of the season is not good enough. Manchester City away on Sunday is a terrifying thought for fans right now.
Just the one positive
We will finish on a positive. And it might be the only one, truthfully, but Estevao Willian was masterful. This, predictably, now turns into a negative. Why is he not starting more?
The 18-year-old made his first start since December 3 as he looked to carry Chelsea on his back for the three points. Estevao's brilliance early on saw the referee overturn his initial decision and hand the hosts a penalty, with Palmer levelling from 12 yards.
Estevao Willian
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Estevao Willian shone for Chelsea against Bournemouth(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
The Brazilian was pure magic under the lights at Stamford Bridge. Even when he switched to the left-hand side in the second-half to facilitate substitute Pedro Neto. How a performance like that did not end up on the winning side, I do not quite know, because he was magnificent.
Estevao had a bit of an issue at the end of the game and signalled that he needed to come off, but that may well have been cramp. If he is fit, then there is no question in my mind that he should start on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium.
Estevao knew he was having a game. He was demanding the ball from his teammates. At one point, late into the second-half, Malo Gusto had the ball in a non-threatening position and Estevao sprinted to make himself an option to the Frenchman. Gusto, though, decided for a safer ball into the midfield.
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Nothing was really made of it. The fans probably didn't spot it, but Estevao was furious with Gusto and shouted at the full-back before making his way back up the pitch. He wanted that ball. The Brazilian knew if he had the ball, then Chelsea would have their best chance of winning the game.
Fingers crossed there is no problem for Estevao and he can make an impact in Manchester this weekend. Because, from what we’ve seen from him so far during his short time in England, he tends to leave his best for the big occasions.